MSR-1
US
Basics
Reactor Type
Molten Salt Reactor
Molten salt reactor
Primary heat transport: molten salt - often F compounds
Primary heat transport: molten salt - often F compounds
Reactor Description
Graphite moderated MSR
Electric Output (MWe)
Non-power
Thermal Output (MWt)
1
Size
Micro
'Micro' size
Electric output of less than 10 MWe
Electric output of less than 10 MWe
Spectrum
Thermal
Kinetic neutron energy of 0.000…0.025 eV
Slow or cold neutron / moderated neutron spectrum
Slow or cold neutron / moderated neutron spectrum
Developer
Natura Resources LLC (Abilene, TX)
Pilot Site Details
ACU Abilene Christian University's NEXT Nuclear eXperimental Testing Laboratory at SERCI.
Details
Use (goal of commercial operation)
Research Reactor to support development of the MSR-100
Deployment medium
Test Deployment medium
Design Lifetime (Years)
N/A
Fuel
Fuel class
HALEU
High-assay low enriched uranium
Uranium enriched to 5…20 percent U-235
Uranium enriched to 5…20 percent U-235
Fuel Type
Molten Salt
Fuel Cycle
N/A
Refuelling Cycle
N/A
Cooling & Temperature
Reactor cooling of primary loop
Lithium-Beryllium Fluoride
Reactor moderator
Graphite
Crystalline allotrope of element carbon
Special quality characteristics as moderator
Special quality characteristics as moderator
Reactor Outlet Temperature (°C)
650
Status
Design status
Detailed design
Licensing status
- As of Jan 2026, operating licence...
- As of Jan 2026, operating licence application remains to be submitted
- In 2024 NRC granted construction licence
- In 2020, ACU Abilene Christian University began the licensing process for non-power reactors with the US NRC
Deployment timeline
First operation target in late 2026
Agreements and Engagement
Abilene Christian University and Natura...
Abilene Christian University and Natura Resources have received the support by the Texas Senate and House.
