PROJECTS
LWR Testing
The mission of NuclearATC is to deliver irradiation services in nuclear core materials, fuels, chemistries and instrumentation to clients which are accessible and reliable. This small scale enables lower activation and is ideal for proof-of-concept scale.
Clients will design their own sample encapsulation and we provide the environment in custom chemistry.
LWR testing suports the existing fleet of power reactors world-wide.
We have complete concept work for LWR testing as part of a DOE collaboration in FY24.
Platforms supported include PWR, BWR, BWRX-300, NuScale and PHWR (CANDU).
Planned availability is 2028.
MMR Testing
Molten Metal Reactors (MMR) are a class of non-LWR (also termed Advanced Reactor) which utilizes an alkali metal or metals (e.g., sodium or potassium) as a coolant.
The advantage for MMR over Molten Salt Reactors (MSR) is the reduced corrosive attack from steam-side heat exchangers. While thermolytic water decomposition is possible with both, decomposition products can be better managed with the MMR system.
Original US Navy testing for USS Seawolf (SSN575) utilized engineered techniques for managing a steam system with a molten metal NSSS power unit. No such power plant for MSR has ever been completed.
Future space nuclear applications would benefit from molten metals, especially power heat pipe technology.
Therefore, NuclearATC welcomes more testing for power reactor designs based on molten metal designs.
Planned availability is 2028.