French firm's sodium test rig to replicate 1382°F nuclear reactor temp

French company Blue Capsule Technology has begun constructing a full-scale sodium test rig named ELISE, designed to replicate the high-temperature conditions of its sodium-cooled small modular reactor (SMR). The test rig will simulate temperatures up to 1,382°F (750°C), matching the operational environment of Blue Capsule’s high-temperature reactor (HTR). Standing nine meters tall upon completion, ELISE aims to provide critical data on thermo-hydraulics and natural circulation of liquid sodium at these elevated temperatures. This installation marks the first step in Blue Capsule’s development roadmap and will operate for several years at Peyrolles-en-Provence in collaboration with France’s CSTI Group. Blue Capsule’s HTR targets energy-intensive industries such as cement, metal refining, hydrogen production, and chemical manufacturing, offering a reliable source of fossil-free heat (up to 700°C), steam (up to 650°C), and 50 MW of electricity. The reactor design incorporates robust TRISO fuel for enhanced safety