MARVEL Micro Reactor Targets Full Power Operations Following 2020 Start
MARVEL is a micro reactor designed to produce 85 kilowatts of thermal energy, according to Atomic Insights. Using Stirling engines, the reactor will be able to produce approximately 20 kilowatts of electricity, according to the same source.
The reactor uses uranium-zirconium hydride (UZrH) fuel rods with uranium enriched to less than 20% U-235, a high-assay low-enriched uranium classification, according to Atomic Insights. Its coolant is NaK, a sodium potassium eutectic that is naturally circulated through the reactor core and the system heat exchangers.
Atomic Insights reported that MARVEL is currently scheduled to achieve dry criticality in 2027 and full power operations in 2028.
The program was initiated in 2020, according to Atomic Insights. MARVEL is classified as a non-capitalized asset, which limits its projected operating life to about two years, the same source reported.
Source: atomicinsights.com (opens in a new tab)1 sourcePermalink