Naarea, a developer of a micro-reactor utilizing molten salts, is joining forces with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Paris-Saclay.
Their shared goal is to establish the Innovation Molten Salt Lab, a research facility dedicated to the chemistry of molten salts.
This laboratory aims to become a European leader in research and development for molten salt nuclear reactors and non-nuclear applications.
Combining Expertise for Breakthroughs
The Innovation Molten Salt Lab will merge the 20 years of expertise in molten salt chemistry from the Laboratory of Physics of the 2 Infinis Irène Joliot-Curie (ICJLab) with Naarea’s technological knowledge in materials, neutronics, safety analysis, and data on materials and fuels.
This collaboration seeks to foster collaborative work and leverage innovations developed at Naarea, benefiting the European molten salt reactor sector.
Project Goals and Future Prospects
The new laboratory’s development plan encompasses research on molten salt reactors and non-nuclear industrial applications such as metallurgy and concentrated solar power.
Jean-Luc Alexandre, CEO of Naarea, views this partnership as a significant milestone for the company, strengthening its XAMR project and demonstrating France’s capacity to lead European research in molten salts.
Jean-Luc Moullet, Deputy Director General for Innovation at CNRS, described the laboratory as an “ambitious project,” symbolizing the contribution of French research to the revitalization of the nuclear sector.
Camille Galap, President of the University of Paris-Saclay, emphasized the collaboration’s importance in addressing critical challenges in energy decarbonization, particularly for industry.
Naarea and the XAMR Project
Founded in 2020, Naarea secured funding from the France 2030 investment plan for innovative nuclear reactors.
The company is developing the XAMR, an advanced modular fast neutron reactor using molten salts. This micro-reactor can produce 40 MWe of electricity and 80 MWt of heat, burning plutonium and reusing long-lived nuclear waste to help close the fuel cycle.
The XAMR, about the size of a bus, is designed for deployment near regions to meet local energy needs without requiring grid connection. Naarea aims to bring the XAMR to market by 2030.
Molten Salt Reactors: Technology and Challenges
Molten salt reactors (MSRs) utilize molten fluoride salts as a primary coolant, operating at low pressure with epi-thermal or fast neutron spectra and various fuel types.
Interest in MSRs lies in the potential use of thorium to produce fissile uranium-233, requiring an initial source of plutonium-239.
MSRs present various design concepts and numerous commercial challenges, particularly with thorium.
Leading the Way in Molten Salt Innovation
The Innovation Molten Salt Lab, with the support of CNRS and the University of Paris-Saclay, is well-positioned to overcome these challenges and make significant contributions to innovation in the molten salt reactor sector.