Thorizon and TNO Launch Molten Salt Reactor Materials Program
Thorizon and TNO have launched a new materials program focused on Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs). The initiative addresses the challenge of ensuring structural materials can withstand the hot, corrosive salt and radiation environments present in MSRs over extended periods. MSRs utilize molten fluoride salts as primary coolants at low pressure and offer enhanced safety, efficient fuel use, and the potential to reduce long-lived radioactive waste.
Thorizon's MSR design incorporates sealed cartridges containing the fuel salt, which are replaced every five to ten years. This design limits the exposure of key components to the salt, allowing for inspection and replacement during scheduled cartridge changes. The new program, led by TNO, will generate data and models to confirm design choices, determine cartridge lifetime, and monitor materials during operation. This research will support the licensing of Thorizon's Pioneer demonstrator in Petten, Netherlands, and the commercial rollout of Thorizon One.
Program Details and Collaborations
The program involves an extensive plan for materials characterization, corrosion testing, modeling, and validation. Initial work is underway at Thorizon's facilities in Amsterdam and TNO's laboratories in Petten, directly supporting Thorizon's reactor design, material selection, and licensing process.
Thorizon and TNO plan to collaborate with other organizations in the Dutch nuclear sector, including Delft University of Technology and NRG-Pallas. They also aim to involve international partners such as the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. These collaborations are intended to leverage expertise in materials science, molten salt chemistry, irradiation, modeling, reactor engineering, and licensing.
Thorizon, a spin-off from NRG, is developing a 250 MWt/100 MWe MSR for industrial customers and utilities, with construction of Thorizon One planned around 2030. The company collaborates with industry leaders such as Orano, Tractebel, and EDF, and its project has received support from the European Commission and the French government under the France 2030 investment plan. The Thorizon Pioneer, a smaller, non-commercial version of Thorizon One, will validate the reactor core without electricity production and will be the first nuclear molten salt installation operating in Europe.
