- The U.S. is accelerating efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with the Department of Energy nearly completing the design of a microreactor to showcase its technological integration and applications.
- The MARVEL reactor will aid in understanding reactor design, operation, and decommissioning, providing valuable insights for commercial development and integrating advances in various scientific fields.
- MARVEL, a liquid-metal cooled microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory, will generate 85 kilowatts of thermal energy using low-enriched uranium and represents a significant milestone for the DOE’s microreactor program.
The United States’ goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 is being kicked into high gear like never before. Various microreactor designs are under development in the US that are significantly smaller in size, and produce portable energy that ranges from functions of electricity production to desalination purposes. The Department of Energy has completed 90 percent of the final design of their own microreactor, aiming to help researchers and nuclear engineers understand how microreactors can integrate with other technologies. This initiative not only promotes the benefits of microreactors, but also demonstrates their practical applications in technological advancements.
MARVELous!
This reactor will meet two essential needs. First, it will help researchers understand how to build, operate and eventually decommission a new reactor design. The scientific community has made substantial advances in materials science, computer modeling, and our understanding of human-machine interactions. With this wealth of new information, MARVEL will help integrate these advancements into advanced reactor projects.
Also, the data generated through the testing, startup and operation of MARVEL will give important insights to help companies develop their own reactors and make progress toward commercialization. A variety of private companies have already expressed interest in using MARVEL for testing microreactor applications and systems.
The Microreactor Applications Research Validation and EvaLuation or MARVEL reactor is designed as a liquid-metal cooled microreactor with Stirling engines that will generate 85 kilowatts of thermal energy using small amounts of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) from available research materials. Its design is chiefly based on existing technology and was constructed using existing stock and supplies allowing for faster creation. The reactor was built inside the Transient Reactor Test facility (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and could be installed in less than a year. This is the first time a Department of Energy reactor project has achieved this milestone since the department’s creation in 1977.
The Home Stretch
DOE’s microreactor program recently wrapped up MARVEL’s final design report, which included more than 200 supporting documents detailing the engineering analysis, specifications, requirements, and drawings of the reactor design. The 90 percent threshold allows for minor changes that might arise due to unforeseen complexities during construction and assembly. While the design won’t be considered 100 percent final until the microreactor is cleared for operation, this stage permits INL to award contracts and proceed with next steps. “This is truly a precedent-setting moment for DOE and the nation,” said John Jackson, the national technical director for DOE’s microreactor program. “This milestone paves the way for a microreactor test platform that will answer fundamental questions of how microreactors will operate and the variety of services they can provide to lower emissions across multiple energy sectors.
