Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Kairos Power unite in a $27M deal to accelerate molten salt reactor technology.
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Kairos Power have launched a $27 million strategic partnership to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactor s. This collaboration centers on the fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor , which is a novel design that replaces traditional water coolant with molten fluoride salt.
“It’s exciting to see how our historical lineage in molten salt reactor technology and coated particle fuel are being leveraged with the lab’s more recent advances in additive manufacturing to support Kairos Power in building the first advanced reactor of its kind in our own backyard,” said Chris Petrie, interim section head of Nuclear Fuel Development at ORNL.This technology allows the reactor to operate at higher temperatures with robust inherent safety. The system utilizes TRISO fuel pebbles, which are specialized particles designed to withstand extreme heat without melting or failing.The partnership focuses on critical technical hurdles, including the assessment of fuel manufacturing methods and the production of components using additive manufacturing. Scientists will evaluate how materials like ceramics and carbon composites perform when in contact with corrosive salts at extremely high temperatures. Developing remote maintenance systemsThe scope includes developing remote maintenance systems capable of operating under radiation exposure and establishing a comprehensive management plan for spent fuel pebbles. This technical groundwork is essential for the transition from experimental testing to commercial power generation. The project leverages ORNL’s legacy in molten salt technology. Recent advancements in 3D printing and material science are now being integrated to refine the KP-FHR design. Success in these areas will directly support the Hermes 1 demonstration reactor currently under construction in Oak Ridge. This reactor is the first non-light-water design to receive construction approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with safety-related construction having commenced in May 2025.Beyond the core technology, Kairos Power recently finalized negotiations with the Department of Energy to secure High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium . Fuel security for regional energy impactThis fuel, enriched between 5% and 20%, is necessary for the smaller and more efficient designs of advanced reactors. Kairos will produce its own TRISO fuel pebbles in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory. These efforts are supported by $303 million in risk-reduction funding from the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program to ensure the design reaches technological maturity.This partnership marks the fourth collaboration between the two entities since 2020. East Tennessee now hosts the largest concentration of nuclear science collaborations globally, involving the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and various industry leaders. As energy demand surges due to manufacturing growth and new data centers, these innovations aim to provide the reliable and carbon-free electricity needed for the future grid.“With energy demand expected to increase substantially by 2050, our continued partnerships with US industry, including Kairos Power, are how we will bring more reliable, affordable energy to market,” concluded ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer.
Environment Kairos Power Molten Salt Nuclear Reactor Molten Salt Reactors Nuclear Fuel Nuclear Reactor ORNL
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