Over 60 years ago, ORNL proved that the concept worked when it ran the world’s first molten salt reactor.
The nuclear energy scene in East Tennessee recently got a $27 million boost. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Kairos Power have teamed up to accelerate the development of a new kind of nuclear reactor. Instead of using water for cooling like traditional plants, this design uses molten fluoride salt.
The goal is to get these “advanced reactors” ready for the real world. ORNL is taking a hands-on role in manufacturing parts and testing the fuel. This work is a direct lead-up to the Hermes demonstration reactors currently being built in Oak Ridge.
Bringing Back a Classic Idea
This technology has deep roots in Tennessee. ORNL proved this concept worked 60 years ago when they ran the world’s first molten salt reactor. Now, they are using that history, modern 3D printing, and advanced labs to commercialize it…