Department of Energy Celebrates First Advanced Reactor Criticality

[Marlin]

Department of Energy Celebrates First Advanced Reactor Criticality

https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-celebrates-first-advanced-reactor-criticality

[Core Content]

Antares Nuclear completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration of its Mark-0 reactor design at the Idaho National Laboratory. This test, conducted under the Department of Energy Reactor Pilot Program, validates the operational performance of the non-light-water reactor. The data gathered from this demonstration will inform the licensing and commercial deployment of future advanced reactor designs scheduled for operation by 2027.

Today, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Reactor Pilot Program, Antares Nuclear's advanced reactor design, the Mark-0, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at DOE's Idaho National Laboratory.

WASHINGTON—The rebirth of America's nuclear industry has officially arrived. Today, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program, Antares Nuclear's advanced reactor design, the Mark-0, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at DOE's Idaho National Laboratory. This test confirms that the reactor can operate safely and establishes a basis that would allow subsequent reactors to produce electricity in 2027 and beyond. The Mark-0 is the first of...

Read the full article at Energy.gov:
https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-celebrates-first-advanced-reactor-criticality