Molten salt reactor

Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is a type of nuclear reactor in which the primary coolant, or even the fuel itself, is a molten salt mixture. MSRs offer multiple advantages over conventional nuclear power plants, although for historical reasons, they have not been deployed.

History

The concept of a molten salt reactor was first proposed by the United States Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s. The first experimental MSR, the Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE), was built at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in 1954. The ARE was a 2.5 MWth reactor that used a circulating fluoride salt fuel. It was followed by the Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE), which operated from 1965 to 1969.

Design

In a typical design, the nuclear fuel is dissolved in a molten fluoride or chloride salt which functions both as its coolant and fuel. This molten salt is pumped through a core containing graphite moderators that slow down the neutrons produced by nuclear fission. The heat generated by fission in the fuel salt is transferred to a secondary coolant system, and then to a steam turbine, producing electricity.

Advantages

MSRs offer several potential advantages over conventional nuclear reactors. Their fuel efficiency is higher, and they can be designed to be passively safe. They also produce less long-lived radioactive waste and can be designed to burn existing nuclear waste.

Challenges

Despite these advantages, there are several challenges to the commercialization of MSRs. These include the corrosive nature of the salts used, the need for advanced materials to withstand high temperatures and radiation levels, and the need for further research and development.

Future

Several companies and countries are currently researching the development of MSRs, including China, the United States, and Canada. The future of MSRs depends on overcoming the technical challenges and proving the economic viability of these reactors.