An Advanced Molten Salt Reactor Using High-Temperature Reactor Technology

Abstract

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) are liquid-fueled reactors that can be used for burning actinides, producing electricity, producing hydrogen, and producing fissile fuels (breeding). Fissile, fertile, and fission products are dissolved in a high-temperature, molten fluoride salt with a very high boiling temperature (~1400oC). Two reactors were successfully built and operated in the 1950s and 1960s. A detailed conceptual design of a 1000 MW(e) reactor was developed. There is renewed interest in MSRs because of changing goals and new technologies. Three technologies, partly or fully developed since the 1970s, have been identified that may dramatically improve the economics and viability of MSRs: Brayton helium power cycles, compact heat exchangers, and carbonBcarbon composites. All three technologies are being developed for high-temperature reactors. This paper describes how each of these technologies may remove major technical challenges, improve the performance, expand the potential missions, and improve the fundamental economics of the MSR. The new technologies become the enabling technologies for an Advanced Molten Salt Reactor (AMSR).