Elysium Unveils Scalable Molten Salt Reactor to Revolutionize Nuclear Power
Elysium Technologies has unveiled a groundbreaking molten salt reactor design that can scale significantly, from small to large, and has the potential to revolutionise nuclear power. The company's reactor can also burn up nuclear waste, addressing a longstanding challenge in the industry.
The new design, developed by Elysium, can scale from a modest 50 Megawatts electric (MWe) to a substantial 1,200 MWe. This versatility allows it to cater to a wide range of energy needs, from small towns to large cities.
Elysium's reactor is a fast reactor, capable of using nuclear waste as fuel. It can burn up this waste over time, reducing the volume of radioactive waste that needs to be stored. Moreover, the design is highly efficient, using up to 95 percent of the fuel, and has a shorter toxic period for waste compared to conventional reactors.
While molten salt reactors have faced some challenges in the past, Elysium claims to have overcome these hurdles. The company's design operates at mostly ambient pressure and requires less safety infrastructure than traditional reactors. This could lead to significant cost savings and improved safety.
An industry veteran, Llewellyn King, has praised the new molten salt reactor as the next big thing in nuclear power. He suggests that the large reactor represents a shift in public sentiment, following the delays experienced by NuScale's small modular reactors.
Elysium Technologies' new molten salt reactor design offers a scalable, efficient, and safer alternative to conventional nuclear power. With its ability to burn up nuclear waste, it also addresses a crucial challenge in the industry. The company's first plant, a 10 MWe demonstration plant, is set to supply a small town, marking an important step towards wider adoption.
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