Articles tagged with "molten-salt-reactor"
French firm seeks permission to build fast-neutron nuclear reactor
French start-up Stellaria has taken a significant step by submitting an application to French nuclear authorities seeking permission to build its Alvin prototype, the world’s first fast-neutron molten salt reactor (MSR), with a planned startup in 2030. This move marks Stellaria’s transition from concept development to a formal regulatory phase, elevating the company to the status of a nuclear operator. The application includes detailed safety analyses, environmental impact assessments, and plans for decommissioning, emphasizing the reactor’s design features such as four containment barriers, underground installation, and the use of molten fluoride salts as coolant at low pressure, which contribute to its safety and operational stability. The Stellarium reactor, developed by Stellaria—a spin-off from CEA and Schneider Electric—operates using fast neutrons and molten salt fuel, aiming to validate the MSR concept through experimental testing. MSRs are notable for their potential to use thorium fuel cycles and operate under low pressure, offering safety and efficiency advantages. Stellaria
energynuclear-reactorfast-neutron-reactormolten-salt-reactornuclear-energyenergy-innovationclean-energyUS firm to build Gen-4 molten salt reactor for direct heat, power
US-based Terrestrial Energy has entered into an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) for Project TETRA, which involves building and operating a pilot Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). This molten salt-fueled, graphite-moderated reactor uses standard assay low-enriched uranium (SALEU) fuel with less than 5% U-235, distinguishing it from other advanced reactors that require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). The OTA framework allows DOE oversight without traditional federal contracting, facilitating the transition from design to operation. The pilot aims to validate IMSR technology for commercial deployment, demonstrating its ability to generate electricity and provide industrial heat efficiently, operating at 44% thermal efficiency and delivering heat at 700°C for direct industrial use. The IMSR design integrates primary components into a sealed core-unit with an estimated seven-year lifespan to manage graphite moderator degradation, enabling modular replacement without complex maintenance. By using SALEU fuel, Ter
energymolten-salt-reactornuclear-energyIntegral-Molten-Salt-Reactorlow-enriched-uraniumadvanced-reactorsDOE-energy-projectsInside the first fast-spectrum molten chloride reactor fuel ever produced
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has successfully produced the first batch of fuel for the United States’ experimental Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), marking a significant milestone toward realizing fast-spectrum molten chloride reactors. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that use solid fuel rods and moderators to slow neutrons, the MCRE employs a liquid nuclear-enriched chloride salt fuel and operates with fast neutrons, enabling higher energy density, reduced waste, and more compact reactor designs. This approach also allows the reactor to reach higher temperatures and supports industrial applications such as hydrogen production and heavy manufacturing, while maintaining inherent safety features like passive cooling and meltdown resistance. The MCRE is unique in its use of chloride salts instead of the more common fluoride salts, which contributes to its ability to operate as a fast-spectrum reactor. The project, a collaboration between INL, Southern Company, TerraPower, CORE POWER, and the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to develop a versatile, safer, and cleaner nuclear power source that
energynuclear-energymolten-salt-reactorfast-spectrum-reactorchloride-salt-fuelclean-energyadvanced-reactor-technologyUS firm eyes gigawatts of nuclear power with first Gen IV reactors
Natura Resources, a US-based company, is advancing the deployment of Generation IV nuclear reactors, aiming to launch its first 1-megawatt molten salt reactor (MSR-1) by 2026. This demonstration reactor, which received a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) construction permit in September 2024, will pave the way for a commercial-scale 100-megawatt MSR-100 unit targeted for deployment between 2029 and 2032. The MSR-100 is designed to be cost-competitive with natural gas and versatile enough to support grid-scale electricity generation as well as industrial applications like produced water desalination. Natura plans to submit two commercial reactor applications to the NRC by the end of 2025 to support these goals. A significant strategic development underpinning Natura’s scaling efforts is its acquisition of Shepherd Power from NOV, coupled with a partnership agreement with NOV to leverage their manufacturing, supply chain, and project management expertise. NOV will also invest in Natura
energynuclear-powerGen-IV-reactorsmolten-salt-reactorsmall-modular-reactorsadvanced-energy-technologypower-generationRussia develops critical process for molten salt reactors' operations
A Russian company under Rosatom has developed a solid-phase synthesis production process for lithium-7 fluoride, a critical material for molten salt reactors (MSRs). This marks a significant advancement for Russia, which previously lacked industrial-scale lithium-7 fluoride production. The process is environmentally friendly, minimizing lithium isotope loss and fluorine-containing waste. Rosatom plans to scale production to up to one tonne per year, supporting the development of MSRs, which use molten fluoride salts like lithium-7 fluoride as coolants operating at high temperatures without high pressure. MSRs represent a novel nuclear reactor technology that dissolves fissile and fertile fuel in molten salts, offering advantages over traditional solid-fuel reactors. Lithium-7 fluoride is essential due to its neutron transparency and purity requirements, as impurities can lead to tritium formation. MSRs can operate with various neutron spectra and fuels, with current interest focusing on thorium fuel cycles. Rosatom has completed the first design stage of an MSR, with technical designs and
energymolten-salt-reactorlithium-7-fluoridenuclear-energyRosatomsustainable-energyreactor-technologyWorld’s first fast molten salt nuclear reactor gets first fuel
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have produced the first full-scale batch of enriched chloride-based molten salt fuel for the world’s first fast-spectrum molten salt reactor, the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE). This marks a historic milestone as it is the first time such fuel has been made for a fast reactor. A key breakthrough in 2024 enabled the conversion of 95% of uranium metal into uranium chloride within hours, drastically reducing production time from over a week to about a day. The facility aims to produce up to 75 batches, with the first batch completed in September 2023 and four more planned by March 2026. The MCRE project, supported by the US Department of Energy and private industry, represents a major push toward next-generation nuclear technology, focusing on molten salt reactors that use liquid fuel salts instead of solid fuel rods and water cooling. This technology offers higher operating temperatures, improved fuel efficiency, and inherent safety benefits. Beyond land-based power generation,
energynuclear-energymolten-salt-reactoradvanced-nuclear-technologyuranium-fuelenergy-innovationsustainable-energyWorld’s first fast-neutron nuclear reactor to power AI data centers
French startup Stellaria has secured its first power reservation from Equinix for Stellarium, the world’s first fast-neutron molten-salt nuclear reactor designed to reduce nuclear waste. Stellarium is a fourth-generation reactor using liquid chloride salt fuel in a closed fuel cycle, capable of destroying more long-lived nuclear waste than it produces—a milestone no commercial reactor has yet achieved. The compact reactor, occupying only four cubic meters, can utilize a wide range of nuclear fuels including uranium, plutonium, MOX, minor actinides, and thorium. Stellaria aims to achieve its first fission reaction by 2029 and begin commercial deployment by 2035. Key design features include passive cooling, four physical containment barriers, and operation for over 20 years without refueling, making it a safe, resilient, and scalable clean energy source. The agreement with Equinix will enable the company’s AI data centers to operate autonomously with carbon-free, controllable nuclear power, supporting sustainable and dec
energynuclear-reactorfast-neutron-reactorclean-energyAI-data-centerssustainable-energymolten-salt-reactorChina unveils thorium-fueled nuclear ship to carry 14,000 containers
China has unveiled detailed specifications for its upcoming nuclear-powered cargo ship, touted as the world’s largest, which will be driven by a thorium-based molten salt reactor (TMSR) with a thermal output of 200 megawatts. Designed to carry 14,000 standard containers, the ship’s reactor matches the power level of advanced US Navy submarine reactors but uses thorium instead of uranium, offering enhanced safety and efficiency. The reactor powers a supercritical carbon dioxide generator employing the Brayton cycle, producing 50MW of electrical power with a thermal-to-electric efficiency of 45-50%, significantly higher than conventional steam reactors. Key safety features include operation at atmospheric pressure, a strong negative temperature coefficient to prevent runaway reactions, passive decay heat removal systems, and a sealed modular design with a 10-year lifespan before replacement. This vessel is part of China’s broader push into advanced nuclear technology, leveraging its abundant thorium reserves, particularly in Inner Mongolia. The country achieved a milestone in 202
energynuclear-powerthorium-reactormolten-salt-reactormaritime-technologyclean-energyadvanced-propulsionChina achieves thorium fuel conversion for advanced molten-salt reactor
China has achieved a significant breakthrough in advanced nuclear energy by successfully converting thorium into uranium fuel within a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), marking the first such accomplishment globally. This milestone, confirmed by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, provides concrete experimental proof of the technical feasibility of using thorium in molten-salt reactor systems. The achievement is pivotal for China, enabling it to leverage its vast domestic thorium reserves and advancing the global development of next-generation nuclear energy technologies. The TMSR represents a fourth-generation nuclear reactor design that uses high-temperature molten salt as a coolant instead of water, offering inherent safety advantages, operation at atmospheric pressure, and high-temperature output. These features make molten-salt reactors particularly suitable for thorium fuel utilization. SINAP’s experimental TMSR is currently the only operational molten-salt reactor actively testing thorium fuel worldwide. Since the program’s inception in 2011, China has developed a complete
energynuclear-energymolten-salt-reactorthorium-fueladvanced-reactor-technologyclean-energyChina-energy-innovationUS' first liquid-fueled Gen IV nuclear reactor set for 2026 deployment
US-based Natura Resources is set to deploy the first Generation IV liquid-fueled molten salt reactor (LF-MSR) in the United States by 2026, marking a significant milestone in advanced nuclear energy. The company’s 1-megawatt MSR-1 system, located at Abilene Christian University (ACU), received a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September 2024. Natura Resources has secured key milestones including the NRC license, a completed reactor facility, fuel commitments from the Department of Energy (DOE), and strong support from Texas, positioning it as the frontrunner in Gen IV reactor deployment. The DOE’s Idaho National Lab also projects Natura’s MSR-1 as the first Gen IV reactor deployment in the US. The LF-MSR design uses molten salt as both fuel and coolant, operating at high temperatures and low pressure, which enhances safety and efficiency compared to conventional solid-fuel reactors. This technology can recycle waste fuel, produce
energynuclear-reactorGen-IV-reactormolten-salt-reactoradvanced-energy-technologypower-generationclean-energyKorea approves world-first LNG carrier powered by molten salt reactor
South Korea has approved the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier powered by a small modular molten salt reactor (MSR), marking a significant advancement in clean maritime propulsion. Developed collaboratively by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and Samsung Heavy Industries, the vessel received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping and the Liberian flag state on September 9, 2025. This certification confirms that the ship’s design, featuring a 100-megawatt thermal molten salt reactor, complies with international safety and regulatory standards. The MSR technology is notable for using a liquid fuel mixture of nuclear material and molten salt, differing from traditional solid-fuel reactors, and is designed to operate throughout the ship’s entire lifespan without refueling. The molten salt reactor offers high safety, excellent energy efficiency, and the potential to reduce maintenance and operational interruptions typically associated with conventional nuclear propulsion systems. This innovation aims to contribute to carbon neutrality in the
energymolten-salt-reactorLNG-carriernuclear-propulsionclean-maritime-technologysmall-modular-reactorKorea-Atomic-Energy-Research-InstituteIndonesia Bets On Thorcon’s Molten Salt Reactor, But History Suggests Trouble Ahead - CleanTechnica
Indonesia has recently granted early-stage regulatory approval to Thorcon International, a Singapore-based company developing molten salt reactors, to evaluate a site for a demonstration nuclear power plant on Kelasa Island. This move marks Indonesia’s first formal commitment to nuclear energy, aiming to diversify its electricity mix amid rapidly growing demand. Currently, Indonesia’s power system is fragmented across its vast archipelago, with many remote islands relying on costly and polluting diesel generators. The country’s electricity generation remains heavily dependent on coal (61%), with modest contributions from renewables such as hydropower (7%), geothermal (5%), and solar (1%). The government plans to add 71 GW of new capacity by 2034, including 10 GW of nuclear by 2040, alongside significant expansions in renewables and storage to reduce coal reliance and meet climate goals. However, the article highlights significant challenges and historical lessons that cast doubt on the success of Indonesia’s nuclear ambitions. Globally, nuclear power has only thrived under conditions
energynuclear-powermolten-salt-reactorrenewable-energyIndonesia-energy-transitionclean-energypower-gridUS firm's prototype induction pump tech to make nuclear reactors safer
NANO Nuclear Energy, a New York-based firm, has developed a prototype Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) designed to improve thermal management in advanced nuclear reactors, particularly molten salt and liquid-metal reactors. Unlike traditional mechanical pumps, ALIP uses a time-varying magnetic field to move conductive fluids without mechanical components, which reduces wear, maintenance, and increases efficiency. The company has successfully integrated the ALIP technology into a controllable test loop at its Demonstration Facility in Westchester County, New York, marking a significant milestone in validating the pump’s design and performance. The development of ALIP is part of NANO Nuclear’s broader efforts to advance next-generation nuclear reactor technologies, with plans to begin commercial sales by late 2025 or early 2026. Current work focuses on refining the prototype, collecting manufacturing and performance data, and testing the pump with various fluids and failure scenarios. Collaboration with aRobotics Company has supported the fabrication and testing processes under the SBIR Phase III
energynuclear-energyinduction-pumpmolten-salt-reactorelectromagnetic-pumpthermal-managementadvanced-reactorsFrench firm's fast neutron nuclear reactor gets $26 million boost
Stellaria, a French startup emerging from CEA and Schneider Electric, has secured €23 million (about $26.88 million) in new funding to develop the Stellarium, a fourth-generation fast neutron molten salt nuclear reactor. This reactor is designed to operate on a closed fuel cycle using chloride salt liquid fuel and aims to be the world’s first commercial reactor capable of destroying more long-lived nuclear waste than it produces. With total funding now at €33 million, including support from the France 2030 program, Stellaria plans to achieve its first fission reaction by 2029 and begin commercial deployment by 2035. The fresh capital will support technical, regulatory, and workforce expansion efforts, including filing for necessary nuclear installation authorizations and enhancing research collaborations. The Stellarium reactor emphasizes minimal innovation focused on proven principles to accelerate development and ensure safety and efficiency. Key features include passive cooling via natural convection, isogeneration to sustain its fuel cycle, and four physical containment barriers—one more
energynuclear-reactorfast-neutron-reactormolten-salt-reactorclean-energysustainable-energyenergy-innovationDanish firm's 100 MW thorium molten salt reactors get funding boost
Danish company Copenhagen Atomics has received a significant funding boost from the European Innovation Council (EIC), securing a $3 million grant and access to $17 million in potential equity to advance its thorium molten salt reactor (MSR) technology. Their innovative "Onion Core" design features a compact, containerized reactor engineered for factory mass production, aiming to deliver scalable, clean energy globally. Operating at atmospheric pressure with thorium-based liquid fuel and heavy water moderation, each 100 MWth unit can also utilize recycled nuclear waste, addressing both energy production and long-term nuclear waste management challenges. The company has made notable progress, having built and tested two full-scale non-fission prototypes and key components that have accumulated over 10,000 operating days. The new funding will support the construction of a third prototype and preparation for the first nuclear fission test in partnership with Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute. Copenhagen Atomics plans to have its first commercial reactor operational by 2028, with a
energynuclear-energythorium-reactormolten-salt-reactorclean-energysustainable-energyenergy-innovationTrung Quốc hồi sinh công nghệ lò phản ứng muối nóng chảy thorium
energythoriumnuclear-reactorChinamolten-salt-reactorrenewable-energyenergy-production