Terrestrial Energy, NRG Pallas begin final phase of graphite irradiation testing

Terrestrial Energy and NRG PALLAS announced the start of the final phase of its graphite irradiation and selection program for Terrestrial Energy’s Integral Molten Salt Reactor. The irradiation tests, conducted at NRG PALLAS’ High Flux Reactor in Petten in the Netherlands, will enable Terrestrial Energy to finalize the qualification of graphite for licensing and operation of its IMSR plant. Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR is a thermal spectrum reactor that uses ~125 tonnes of graphite as the neutron moderator. The completion of tests at NRG PALLAS’ HFR, one of the most powerful multi-purpose research and test reactors in the world, will confirm the predicted performance of selected graphite grades throughout the seven-year operating cycle of each IMSR Core-unit. The Company sourced multiple graphite grades from suppliers of nuclear graphite in western markets, including the U.S., to commence a test program in 2020 for the selection and qualification of the most suitable graphite grade. The test program benefits from NRG PALLAS’ decades of experience performing materials irradiation tests for nuclear reactor development, as well as the engineering expertise of the Frazer-Nash Consultancy.