Idaho National Laboratory reports a fuel-salt production milestone for the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment

TerraPower/Molten Chloride Fast Reactor

Idaho National Laboratory achieved reliable production of 18 kilogram batches of uranium chloride fuel salt in 8 hours with 95% uranium conversion efficiency, a major improvement from earlier processes taking ~200 hours per batch at lower yields. The facility plans five enriched demonstration batches by end-2025 to support the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment, which will need 72-75 total batches to reach criticality.

• Now produces 18 kg batches in 8 hours with 95% uranium conversion efficiency.
• Earlier process took ~200 hours per batch with lower conversion rates.
• INL plans five enriched demonstration batches by end-2025.
• Reactor experiment requires 72-75 fuel batches total; ramp-up planned for 2026.