Experimental Testing Archives

Development of Novel Deconversion Technology

Oklo will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which has demonstrated gram-scale reduction of UF6 to UF4 through an intermediary compound that significantly reduces the traditional method’s hazards. PNNL has also shown the viability of co-reducing fluorides to metal. The possibility of eliminating the intermediate UF4 production step will have the potential of increased throughput and process safety that will help accelerate deployment of a commercial fabrication facility.

Molten Salt Nuclear Graphite Qualification Plan

Natura will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop a graphite qualification plan and identify performance characteristics and development plans to design, approve, and perform graphite irradiations with fuel-bearing salts. The plan will look at utilizing the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at ORNL which would allow for rapid neutron irradiation of graphite (7-10 dpa per year) in a future irradiation test outside of the voucher scope. The project will also include the development of fuel-bearing, molten salt irradiation capsules to support the future irradiation test.

Development of Analytical Techniques for Trace Impurities in 2LiF-BeF2, Kairos Power

Kairos will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to extend measurements of dissolved oxygen and corrosion products in FLiBe to the full range of relevant/significant impurities, as well as incorporating the measurement methods into their quality assurance program/practices. Refinement of analytical methods for species in salt that impact system operation will enable Kairos to continue along the aggressive timeline for near term nuclear demonstration and commercial deployment.

Thermal Energy Storage with sCO2 Power Conversion for Low-Cost Micro Modular Reactors – Heat Transfer and sCO2 Power Cycle Assessment, Kanata America

Kanata America, Inc. (Cheyenne, WY) will collaborate with Sandia National Laboratories to improve the efficiency of their thermal energy storage and power conversion systems for future use in microreactors.

ICP-MS for Analysis of Lithium Isotopic Ratios in Materials Highly Enriched in 7Li, Kairos Power

The goal of this project would be to evaluate performance capabilities of instruments and develop standardized hardware configurations and operating procedures to analyze lithium isotopic ratios to support production of Flibe coolant that is highly enriched in 7Li.

Development of Cladding Protective coating for FOAK ARC-100 Facility, ARC Clean Technology

This project will support the qualification of ARC’s fuel, by demonstrating the potential use of a barrier on the cladding to prevent fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI).

Advanced Moderator Module Validation for the Alpha Tech Micro Molten Salt Reactor, Alpha Tech Research Corp

The ARC Reactor is a thermal spectrum molten salt microreactor that uses low-enriched uranium fuel and operates at the high temperature of 600°C. Alpha Tech has identified YH2-x as an exceptional moderator that experiences little to no swelling.

Deployment of Advanced Electroanalytical Sensors in the Kairos Power Engineering Test Unit, Kairos Power

Kairos seeks to optimize electroanalytical sensors to enable stable measurements of industrial-scale FLIBE salt in the Kairos Power Engineering Test Unit (ETU). The work proposed would provide a direct benefit to the development of the HERMES reactor.

Addressing Gaps in Legacy Data on Fuel Steel Interactions, Oklo, Inc.

To broaden the understanding of fuel-clad chemical interactions (FCCI), Oklo partnered with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to conduct an out-of-pile experimental investigation into FCCI behavior that addresses each of these variables in order to expand the operating envelopes to better align with the Aurora reactor as well as other advanced concepts.

Work Type: Experimental Testing