What is a Nuclear Versatile Test Reactor

Before a new automobile hits the street, it undergoes extensive testing to ensure it can be driven for hundreds of thousands of miles with all of its parts and components operating correctly while also protecting passengers in the event of a crash. The same is true of nuclear technologies. Reactors and all their parts and components are thoroughly analyzed or tested before they are approved for construction and operation to make sure these reactors are safe and efficient.

New nuclear technologies need to be licensed before starting. Tests and experiments to provide licensing information are done using a research tool called a test reactor. There are a variety of test reactors that conduct different types of experiments and examine various technologies. The experimental results from test reactors like VTR provide the information needed to bring new reactors online to generate the clean energy we need to reduce carbon emissions and provide carbon-free electricity to people around the world.

Test reactors do this by bombarding materials, fuels and sensors with neutrons to mimic decades of wear and tear sustained in a power reactor core. Using high levels of neutron radiation, test reactors can examine these materials in a much shorter timeframe — seconds, weeks or months instead of years or decades. This helps researchers design stronger, more efficient and longer-lasting fuels that safely generate more energy as well as create sensors that alert us to any changes in how a reactor is operating.

Before a new automobile hits the street, it undergoes extensive testing to ensure it can be driven for hundreds of thousands of miles with all of its parts and components operating correctly while also protecting passengers in the event of a crash. The same is true of nuclear technologies. Reactors and all their parts and components are thoroughly analyzed or tested before they are approved for construction and operation to make sure these reactors are safe and efficient.

New nuclear technologies need to be licensed before starting. Tests and experiments to provide licensing information are done using a research tool called a test reactor. There are a variety of test reactors that conduct different types of experiments and examine various technologies. The experimental results from test reactors like VTR provide the information needed to bring new reactors online to generate the clean energy we need to reduce carbon emissions and provide carbon-free electricity to people around the world.

Test reactors do this by bombarding materials, fuels and sensors with neutrons to mimic decades of wear and tear sustained in a power reactor core. Using high levels of neutron radiation, test reactors can examine these materials in a much shorter timeframe — seconds, weeks or months instead of years or decades. This helps researchers design stronger, more efficient and longer-lasting fuels that safely generate more energy as well as create sensors that alert us to any changes in how a reactor is operating.

3 Ways VTR is Unique

Infographic on 3 ways VTR is unique. VTR is a test facility for both existing and future reactors that will further our clean-energy future by testing new ideas, materials and technologies. It will be the only facility of its kind, worldwide.

3 Ways VTR is Unique

Infographic on 3 ways VTR is unique. VTR is a test facility for both existing and future reactors that will further our clean-energy future by testing new ideas, materials and technologies. It will be the only facility of its kind, worldwide.
Infographic on 3 ways VTR is unique. VTR is a test facility for both existing and future reactors that will further our clean-energy future by testing new ideas, materials and technologies. It will be the only facility of its kind, worldwide.
Infographic explaining that VTR will help both Existing and Future development of rectors

A New Generation of
Clean-Energy Technologies

VTR will conduct a broader range of experiments using larger samples for more nuclear technologies than anything that exists in the world today. This means we can develop a new generation of clean energy technologies that operate efficiently and safely. It also means we can develop a suite of nuclear technologies that can be tailored to fit the needs of specific community and regions rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

With these new technologies, we can inspire a new generation of researchers, provide carbon-free electricity to people around the world, turn dirty water into drinking water and harness heat for use in industrial processes ripe for decarbonization.

A New Generation of Clean-Energy Technologies

VTR will conduct a broader range of experiments using larger samples for more nuclear technologies than anything that exists in the world today. This means we can develop a new generation of clean energy technologies that operate efficiently and safely. It also means we can develop a suite of nuclear technologies that can be tailored to fit the needs of specific community and regions rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

With these new technologies, we can inspire a new generation of researchers, provide carbon-free electricity to people around the world, turn dirty water into drinking water and harness heat for use in industrial processes ripe for decarbonization.

A New Generation of Clean-Energy Technologies

VTR will conduct a broader range of experiments using larger samples for more nuclear technologies than anything that exists in the world today. This means we can develop a new generation of clean-energy technologies that operate efficiently and safely. It also means we can develop a suite of nuclear technologies that can be tailored to fit the needs of specific community and regions rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

With these new technologies, we can provide carbon-free electricity to people around the world, turn dirty water into drinking water and harness heat for use in industrial processes ripe for decarbonization.

Fuel for Research

VTR will be the nation’s only large-scale, advanced fast-neutron source for endurance testing of nuclear fuels, sensors and materials. The 300-megawatt (thermal) reactor will produce roughly 100 times the neutron flux and
20 times the neutron damage rate of current water-cooled research/test reactors. To produce these fast neutrons, the VTR will require special fuel designed to meet research specifications while also operating safely and efficiently.

 

Fuel for Research

VTR will be the nation’s only large-scale, advanced fast-neutron source for endurance testing of nuclear fuels, sensors and materials. The 300-megawatt (thermal) reactor will produce roughly 100 times the neutron flux and 20 times the neutron damage rate of current water-cooled research/test reactors. To produce these fast neutrons, the VTR will require special fuel designed to meet research specifications while also operating safely and efficiently.

 

Accelerating Nuclear Energy Innovation through Public-Private Industry Partnership

Achieving nuclear energy’s full potential requires close collaboration between public and private entities. That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy is partnering with a strong team of engineers and scientists from its national lab system as well as Bechtel, TerraPower and GE Hitachi to design and construct VTR. This collaboration maximizes expertise while also welcoming private investment to support the project.

 

Accelerating Nuclear Energy Innovation through Public-Private Industry Partnership

Achieving nuclear energy’s full potential requires close collaboration between public and private entities. That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy is partnering with a strong team of engineers and scientists from its national lab system as well as Bechtel, TerraPower and GE Hitachi to design and construct VTR. This collaboration maximizes expertise while also welcoming private investment to support the project.

 

Accelerating Nuclear Energy Innovation through Public-Private Industry Partnership

Achieving nuclear energy’s full potential requires close collaboration between public and
private entities. That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy is partnering with a strong team
of engineers and scientists from its national lab system as well as Bechtel, TerraPower and
GE Hitachi to design and construct VTR. This collaboration maximizes expertise while also
welcoming private investment to support the project.

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The Cameron Group Logo
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Electric Power Research Institute logo
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GE logo
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The Cameron Group logo
Cosylab logo
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framatome logo
GE logo
General Atomics logo
orano logo
Terrapower logo
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FAQs

What is VTR?

The Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is a one-of-a-kind scientific user facility capable of performing  large-scale, fast-spectrum neutron-irradiation tests and experiments simply not possible today. It will support research, development and demonstration of innovative nuclear energy technologies (with a focus on fuels, materials and sensors in representative environments) that can supply the world with  abundant carbon-free  energy. With the addition of  VTR, the U.S. will again lead the world in nuclear energy research, safety and security while also supporting U.S. industry partners as they commercialize new technologies.

What is a test reactor? What will VTR do?

Test reactors are scientific research tools. They provide intense neutron fluxes that are used to simulate prototypical conditions or conduct accelerated neutron damage irradiation studies. Real-time measurements and subsequent post-irradiation examination techniques provide valuable information on how fuels, materials, components and instrumentation withstand the extreme conditions inside nuclear power plants and even future fusion reactors. This enables scientists and engineers to design safer, longer-lasting and more efficient fuels, materials and components for nuclear energy systems. 

What research or technologies will VTR support?

VTR will support tests and experiments for:

  • Molten salt reactors
  • Sodium-cooled fast reactors
  • Lead-cooled fast reactors
  • Gas-cooled fast reactors
  • Structural materials testing for any reactor technology, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) existing fleet of reactors
  • Instrumentation, sensors and controls

With four cartridge test loops, a rapid-shuttle test loop also known as a “rabbit,” slots for five “standard” experiments, and 50-plus positions for advanced test vehicles, VTR will be able to run several types of tests simultaneously.

Where will VTR get the material for its fuel?

DOE is working with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to identify appropriate sources of material that meet the reactor’s fuel requirements and that would not negatively impact critical NNSA missions if the material were repurposed. 

Will VTR create waste?

The proposed activities at VTR would produce small amounts of waste, which are similar to other waste streams that are regularly and proactively managed at DOE sites.  

Will VTR require a lot of water?

VTR’s design does not use water for cooling, so its water usage will be limited to drinking water and plumbing—similar to that of a typical office building.

FAQs

What is VTR?

The Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is a one-of-a-kind scientific user facility capable of performing  large-scale, fast-spectrum neutron-irradiation tests and experiments simply not possible today. It will support research, development and demonstration of innovative nuclear energy technologies (with a focus on fuels, materials and sensors in representative environments) that can supply the world with  abundant carbon-free  energy. With the addition of  VTR, the U.S. will again lead the world in nuclear energy research, safety and security while also supporting U.S. industry partners as they commercialize new technologies.

What is a test reactor? What will VTR do?

Test reactors are scientific research tools. They provide intense neutron fluxes that are used to simulate prototypical conditions or conduct accelerated neutron damage irradiation studies. Real-time measurements and subsequent post-irradiation examination techniques provide valuable information on how fuels, materials, components and instrumentation withstand the extreme conditions inside nuclear power plants and even future fusion reactors. This enables scientists and engineers to design safer, longer-lasting and more efficient fuels, materials and components for nuclear energy systems. 

What research or technologies will VTR support?

VTR will support tests and experiments for:

  • Molten salt reactors
  • Sodium-cooled fast reactors
  • Lead-cooled fast reactors
  • Gas-cooled fast reactors
  • Structural materials testing for any reactor technology, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) existing fleet of reactors
  • Instrumentation, sensors and controls

With four cartridge test loops, a rapid-shuttle test loop also known as a “rabbit,” slots for five “standard” experiments, and 50-plus positions for advanced test vehicles, VTR will be able to run several types of tests simultaneously.

Where will VTR get the material for its fuel?

DOE is working with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to identify appropriate sources of material that meet the reactor’s fuel requirements and that would not negatively impact critical NNSA missions if the material were repurposed. 

Will VTR create waste?

The proposed activities at VTR would produce small amounts of waste, which are similar to other waste streams that are regularly and proactively managed at DOE sites.  

Will VTR require a lot of water?

VTR’s design does not use water for cooling, so its water usage will be limited to drinking water and plumbing—similar to that of a typical office building.

Contact:

Laura.Scheele@inl.gov

         
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