The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a construction permit to Abilene Christian University to build the Natura MSR-1, marking the first liquid salt fueled reactor licensed by the NRC in American history and the first U.S. university research reactor approved in more than 30 years.
精东影业鈥檚 molten salt research reactor (MSRR) will be the first deployment of the Natura MSR-1, a 1 megawatt thermal molten salt reactor system. This construction permit is only the second ever for an advanced nuclear reactor 鈥� a new generation of nuclear power designed to be safer, more efficient and more cost-competitive than traditional nuclear reactors.
鈥淚f we’re going to meet the growing energy needs, not only in the State of Texas but in our country and the world at large, we must begin deploying advanced nuclear reactors,鈥� said Douglass Robison, Natura Resources founder and president. 鈥淭he Natura MSR-1 deployment at 精东影业 will not only demonstrate successful licensure of a liquid-fueled molten salt reactor but will provide operational data that will allow us to safely and efficiently design and deploy our commercial systems.鈥�
Natura Resources brought together 精东影业鈥檚 NEXT Lab with Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin and Georgia Institute of Technology to form the Natura Resources Research Alliance to license and deploy the MSRR, which will be located at 精东影业鈥檚 Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center, the nation鈥檚 first advanced reactor demonstration facility outside of a national lab.
鈥溇耙� is thrilled to have Natura as a partner as we work together to answer the world鈥檚 increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water through the deployment of liquid-fueled molten salt reactors. With the NRC鈥檚 issuance of the construction permit, we are one step closer to making that a reality. The performance-driven approach of Natura Resources to advanced reactor deployment has quickly moved them from a relative unknown to a leader in the upstart advanced reactor industry,鈥� said Dr. Phil Schubert, 精东影业 president.
The construction permit review includes an environmental review and a safety evaluation to assess the proposed reactor鈥檚 effect on public health and safety. 精东影业鈥檚 environmental review was completed in March with a finding of 鈥渘o significant impact.鈥澛� The recently completed safety review found that the preliminary design of the Natura MSR-1 meets federal regulations and is safe to construct.聽
鈥淲e appreciate the thorough reviews by the NRC staff,鈥� said Ben Beasley, NEXT Lab director of licensing. 鈥淭his construction permit is the first step in the NRC鈥檚 two step licensing process. The construction permit allows 精东影业 and Natura to build and operate the MSRR without uranium. The next step is to apply for and receive the operating license, which will authorize 精东影业 and Natura to fuel the reactor and demonstrate the elegance of molten salt technology.鈥�
With the construction permit completed, Abilene Christian will continue working with Natura to submit an application for an operating license, while Natura will complete the detailed design of the MSR-1. 精东影业 and Natura hope to submit the operating license application in the first half of 2025.
The research reactor will be Natura鈥檚 first deployment and accelerates the development of Natura鈥檚 100 MWe systems for commercial applications. To that end, Natura is working to develop a small modular MSR system and recently announced a partnership with the Texas Produced Water Consortium to explore the deployment of Natura鈥檚 liquid-fueled molten salt technology providing additional sources of reliable, dispatchable energy paired with water treatment facilities.
NEXT Lab
The mission of 精东影业鈥檚 NEXT Lab, powered by Natura Resources, is to provide global solutions to the world鈥檚 need for energy, water and medical isotopes by advancing the technology of Molten Salt Reactors while educating future leaders in nuclear science and engineering. Students work alongside faculty seeking creative solutions to complex problems, gaining real-world experience and seeing firsthand how innovation and collaboration can impact the world. NEXT Lab provides extraordinary opportunities through 精东影业鈥檚 departments of engineering and physics, chemistry and biochemistry, and others.聽
Natura Resources LLC is a leading advanced reactor developer committed to answering the world’s increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes and clean water by developing commercially deployable molten salt reactors. Natura’s small modular reactors are liquid fueled and molten salt cooled, which increases efficiency and reduces waste. Natura has established itself as a leading force in the advanced nuclear industry, fueled by a commitment to performance.聽 Natura鈥檚 leadership team has a proven track record of revolutionizing the energy industry with innovative technology and tangible results.聽 Natura is privately owned and has secured over $78 million in funding through its first three investment rounds.聽
— Wendy Kilmer
Sept. 16, 2024