Articles tagged with "reactor-technology"
First light water reactor at new nuclear plant reaches full power
The first light-water reactor at Russia’s new Kursk II nuclear power plant has reached full power during its commissioning phase. This 1,250 MWe VVER-TOI reactor, connected to the grid in December 2023, underwent a series of tests at various capacity levels to verify its performance and safety. Kursk II is located in western Russia, near the Ukrainian border, and replaces the older Kursk plant, which housed four RBMK-1000 reactors that were shut down between 2021 and 2024. The new facility will feature four advanced VVER-TOI reactors, each with a capacity of 1,250 MWe and an expected service life of up to 100 years. The VVER-TOI design is a third-generation pressurized water reactor (PWR) developed from the Soviet-era VVER technology, known for its inherent safety due to the use of ordinary water as both coolant and neutron moderator. Improvements over previous models include upgraded pressure vessels
energynuclear-powerlight-water-reactorVVER-TOInuclear-energypower-plantreactor-technologyUS deploys 'world's first' irradiated molten salt reactor research tool
The National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) has launched the Molten Salt Thermophysical Examination Capability (MSTEC), a pioneering research facility designed to support the development and commercialization of next-generation molten salt reactors (MSRs). Scheduled to begin full operations in March 2026, MSTEC addresses a critical need for precise data on fuel salt performance—an essential factor for designing, licensing, and operating advanced reactors. The facility features a shielded argon glovebox capable of handling both irradiated and nonirradiated actinide materials, focusing on high-temperature fluoride and chloride salts used as fuel and coolant in MSRs. MSTEC is equipped with a suite of precision instruments adapted for remote operation to safely analyze hazardous samples. These include devices for measuring viscosity, density, thermal properties, and corrosion behavior at temperatures up to 1,650°C. Located at Idaho National Laboratory, MSTEC benefits from proximity to complementary infrastructure such as the Advanced Test Reactor and Analytical Research Laboratories, enhancing its capabilities
energymolten-salt-reactornuclear-energyadvanced-materialsreactor-technologyhigh-temperature-fluidsenergy-researchCambridge reactor shows 99% gas recycling can deliver hydrogen fuel
Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a breakthrough methane pyrolysis reactor that simultaneously produces high-quality carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and clean hydrogen fuel without emitting carbon dioxide. By operating the reactor at 2372°F (1300°C) and employing a multi-pass system that recycles 99% of the methane gas, the team significantly improved efficiency compared to traditional single-pass floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) methods. This approach enhances carbon nanotube production by over eightfold and achieves a 446-fold increase in molar process efficiency, meaning the system uses gas molecules far more effectively. The multi-pass reactor loops methane gas through the pyrolysis process multiple times until nearly all methane is converted into CNTs and hydrogen in a 3:1 ratio, eliminating the need for additional hydrogen input and reducing waste. The researchers also demonstrated the reactor’s ability to process a methane and carbon dioxide mixture, simulating biogas plant output, indicating potential for sustainable fuel and material production. These findings, published
energyhydrogen-fuelcarbon-nanotubesmethane-pyrolysisclean-energymaterials-sciencereactor-technologyNew low-enriched nuclear fuel passes key FRM II reactor test
Germany’s FRM II research reactor has successfully tested new low-enriched uranium fuel plates designed to replace its current highly enriched uranium fuel. Developed through a European collaboration involving Framatome, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and other partners, the fuel plates underwent rigorous irradiation tests at the Belgian BR-2 reactor to simulate the harsh conditions inside FRM II. The plates, made from monolithic uranium molybdenum, demonstrated structural stability and durability under neutron bombardment, overcoming challenges that previous candidate materials could not. This marks a significant technical breakthrough toward converting FRM II to use fuel with less than 20% uranium-235, aligning with international non-proliferation goals and the reactor’s licensing requirements. The successful irradiation tests support FRM II’s plan to submit a license application in 2025 for conversion to the new fuel, which would enable the reactor to continue its scientific mission safely and efficiently. The development process, ongoing since 2019, combined materials science,
energynuclear-fuellow-enriched-uraniumreactor-technologymaterials-scienceirradiation-testingFRM-II-reactorRussia 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-technologyUS seeks inspiration from nature for next-gen nuclear fuel design
Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) are pioneering a novel approach to nuclear fuel design by drawing inspiration from nature’s mathematics, specifically triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). These complex, repeating lattice structures, found naturally in butterfly wings and sea urchin shells, offer highly efficient geometries that can enhance heat transfer in nuclear fuel. INL’s concept, called the Intertwined Nuclear Fuel Lattice for Uprated heat eXchange (INFLUX), replaces traditional solid cylindrical fuel rods with a TPMS-based lattice. This design increases surface area contact with coolant, enabling more efficient heat removal and potentially leading to safer, more compact, and higher-performing nuclear reactors. Recent laboratory tests involving 3D-printed electrically conductive models of the INFLUX lattice demonstrated that the TPMS geometry transfers heat about three times more efficiently than conventional fuel rods. This improvement could allow for thinner fuel, lower operating temperatures, and reduced thermal stress, enhancing reactor performance and economics. Manufacturing challenges remain due
energynuclear-fueladditive-manufacturingheat-transfertriply-periodic-minimal-surfacesreactor-technologymaterials-scienceUS nuclear reactor loads advanced accident-tolerant fuel for third run
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has successfully loaded the lead fuel assembly (LFA) of enhanced accident-tolerant fuel (E-ATF) for its third operational cycle in Unit 2 of the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Maryland. This assembly, developed by Framatome under the PROtect E-ATF program, completed two full 24-month cycles and underwent inspections after each cycle before being reinserted for continued operation. Scheduled to finish its third cycle in spring 2027, the LFA will then be sent to a DOE national laboratory for detailed post-irradiation examination to support future licensing and regulatory activities. Accident-tolerant fuel aims to improve the safety and performance of light-water reactor fuel under severe accident conditions by using advanced materials and designs. The Calvert Cliffs assembly features 176 chromium-coated rods and chromia-enhanced pellets, which help reduce corrosion and hydrogen production at high temperatures, potentially improving reactor economics and operational resilience. Fr
energynuclear-energyaccident-tolerant-fueladvanced-materialsreactor-technologyenergy-innovationFramatomeUS firm forges breakthrough nuclear fuel for longer-lasting reactors
US company Lightbridge has made a significant advancement in nuclear fuel technology by successfully fabricating enriched uranium-zirconium alloy samples, which form the core material for its next-generation Lightbridge Fuel product. This development marks a key milestone as the company moves beyond earlier work with depleted uranium to using enriched uranium, bringing the advanced fuel closer to commercial deployment. The proprietary fabrication process, previously validated with depleted uranium at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has now been applied to enriched uranium, moving toward full-scale production. The fabricated alloy samples will undergo irradiation testing at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and INL. These tests simulate reactor conditions to assess the alloy’s behavior over time, providing critical performance data needed for regulatory approval. Both Lightbridge and INL emphasize the importance of this collaboration in advancing safer, more efficient nuclear fuel technology. Successful testing and regulatory clearance could enable widespread adoption of Lightbridge Fuel in commercial reactors, potentially enhancing safety
energynuclear-fueluranium-zirconium-alloyLightbridgeIdaho-National-Laboratoryadvanced-materialsreactor-technologyTrump signs executive orders to revive US’ nuclear power leadership
energynuclear-powerreactor-technologyAI-data-centersuranium-miningregulatory-reformrenewable-energyPUR-1: First US nuclear reactor digital twin achieves 99% accuracy
energynucleardigital-twinAIremote-monitoringreactor-technologycarbon-free-electricity