Westinghouse eVinci microreactor achieves criticality milestone

Westinghouse Electric Company has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its eVinci microreactor through successful criticality testing. Conducted at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center in Nevada, the tests reached criticality at 1,225 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 663 degrees Celsius).

During the experiment, researchers recorded a peak core temperature of 1,852 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 1,011 degrees Celsius), setting a new temperature record for reactivity measurements at the facility. This data is intended to help engineers refine analytical models and improve the prototype design by comparing physical measurements with predictive simulations.

The eVinci design utilizes a compact architecture featuring heat pipes, a graphite core, and TRISO fuel. The testing was supported by several organizations, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, the Nevada National Security Site, and the U.S. Department of Energy.