Terrestrial Energy and NRG Start Irradiation Testing

OAKVILLE, ON – November 12, 2020 – Terrestrial Energy and Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG) have started a graphite irradiation testing program at NRG’s Petten Research Centre’s High Flux Reactor (HFR) in the Netherlands. This work is part of broader program underway for confirmatory testing of components and systems in the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR^®) power plant.  The IMSR^® power plant uses Generation IV reactor technology for efficient and hence cost-competitive electric power generation, and heat for industrial heat applications. The HFR is one of the most powerful multi-purpose research and test reactors in the world.

The testing program at NRG is designed to confirm the predicted performance of selected graphite grades throughout the seven-year cycle of the IMSR Core-unit. Its scope simulates IMSR core conditions, encompassing the full range of IMSR operating temperatures and of the neutron flux. NRG reports that the HFR has reached full power indicating the successful start of the test program. The test program involved many months of preparation, which included test design, characterization of the as-manufactured graphites, analysis and development of the loading matrix. This effort utilized the expert services of Terrestrial Energy’s engineering consultant, Frazer-Nash Consultancy.

“Our work with NRG at its Petten HFR facility is an important element of our overall IMSR test program, now well underway. The start of in-core irradiation tests speaks to our progress and comes after many months of prior work,” said Simon Irish, CEO of Terrestrial Energy. “The NRG work also reflects an important feature of our testing strategy. That is to engage existing laboratories offering existing capabilities rather than build those in-house, a strategy that is essential for our early deployment schedule.”

“NRG operates a powerful test reactor and offers a world-class set of capabilities to support advanced reactor development,” said Vinod Ramnandanlal, Commercial Director of NRG. “We recognise the commercial capabilities of molten salt technologies and the growing interest in their development and deployment today. We are delighted to be supporting Terrestrial Energy as it moves forward with in-core irradiation testing, the first developer to commence such testing.”