In an effort to progress the commissioning and completion of its Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) system, Natura Resources has tasked Zachry Nuclear Engineering (ZNE) with completing the engineering and design of the system through a Detailed Design Engineering contract.
This system will serve as a benchmark as Natura looks to develop larger MSR facilities for commercial applications, which will utilize liquid fuel to produce carbon-free energy with significantly less waste than conventional reactors. The facility will provide both electrical and thermal energy to support a variety of applications that require high-temperature steam or process heat, including water desalination and chemical and materials production.
"We are excited to embark on this journey with Natura and support the advancement of the nuclear industry. This significant opportunity... will allow us to leverage our nuclear engineering expertise and apply our construction-driven mindset to an exciting new technology that can lead us to a more sustainable future,” said John Zachry, Zachry Group Chairman and CEO.
In addition, Natura’s reactor will serve as a research reactor for Abilene Christian University, which recently applied for construction approval of the MSR system to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The University also recently completed constructing its 28,000 sq ft Science and Engineering Research Center, which will house the research reactor.
