1. Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) were developed in the 1950s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, showcasing high efficiency and safety features.
2. MSRs use thorium as a fuel source, offering advantages such as inherent safety and reduced waste generation.
3. MSRs are experiencing a resurgence of interest worldwide, with companies and research institutions actively developing various designs, despite regulatory challenges in the U.S.
Molten salt reactors (MSRs) combine nuclear history and modern innovation, with origins dating back to the 1950s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) conducted in 1965 showcased the technology’s ability to operate at high temperatures, its safety features, and potential for thorium fuel usage. Despite initial success, the program ended in 1973, but has laid the foundation for the resurgence of interest in MSRs today.
MSRs offer advantages such as enhanced safety, reduced waste generation, and the ability to use thorium as a fuel source. The thorium fuel cycle is a key aspect of some MSR designs, transmuting thorium into uranium-233 for fission. Advocates believe MSRs are superior to traditional light-water reactors due to their safety and efficiency.
Progress is being made on MSR projects, with companies like TerraPower and Southern Company working on the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) at Idaho National Laboratory. However, a lack of understanding within the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission could hinder MSR development domestically. Despite this, nuclear advocates believe MSRs will be built overseas in the next decade.
MSRs could offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional nuclear reactors, with some predicting construction costs as low as $1 per watt. The potential for MSR technology to contribute to a decarbonized world and address nuclear waste concerns is a driving force behind its continued development.