US Department of Energy funds molten salt reactor experiment

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved cost-shared funding for the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), a project aimed at testing a fast-spectrum molten chloride salt reactor. The experiment, which involves Southern Company, Idaho National Laboratory, and UK-based Core Power, is expected to achieve first criticality as early as 2027.

Unlike conventional reactors that use solid fuel, this design dissolves nuclear fuel in liquid salt. The MCRE seeks to provide critical real-world data on reactor performance and fuel behavior to validate existing models and reduce uncertainty for future designers and regulators. This information is intended to assist in the development of future licensing and commercial applications.

Core Power has indicated that the technology could eventually support maritime nuclear propulsion for large commercial ships. The company aims to begin construction of its first US-flagged nuclear-powered ship starting in 2028.