TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY
Molten Salt Reactor Device to Enhance Neutronics and Fluidic Performance
Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this new molten salt reactor device. This technology is for companies designing and manufacturing molten salt nuclear reactors and is closely related to other INL work in this area. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses and ultimately an improved way of life for the American people.
Overview: Molten salt reactors use liquid fuel to sustain the fission heating reaction. The core requires innovative moderator and thermal-hydraulic designs to thermalize the neutron spectrum and provide for low head-loss hydraulic flow conditions to promote buoyant, natural circulation flow characteristics. An adaptively manufactured device that promotes neutron thermalization while enhancing natural circulation capabilities in the reactor are highly desirable. Flow tubes of either straight or helical design in and out of pile fabricated from neutron moderating or reflecting materials in the flow stream can enable advanced designs that would otherwise be unachievable.
This technology uses a shaped molten salt flow device designed in the reactor core and pre/post core flow paths to direct, channel, and thermalize molten salt flow in a close fuel loop system.
This is an inexpensive approach to provide a thermal spectrum molten salt reactor that has passive safety features.
Development Status: TRL 2. This is an early-stage concept and is in need of further development.
IP Status: Provisional Patent Filing No. 63/261,776, “Nuclear Reactor Flow Control Devices and Associated Reactors, Components, and Methods,” BEA Docket No. BA-1254.
Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.
Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov
