Natura Resources LLC has received funding through the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) programme to advance its molten salt nuclear reactor technology. The company will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop a graphite qualification plan, a critical component of its pre-commercial small modular reactor (SMR) design.
The grant will enable Natura to assess graphite performance under simulated operational conditions using the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at ORNL. The project also includes the design of irradiation capsules containing molten salt and fuel to support future testing. This step marks a significant technical milestone in the industrialisation process of the MSR-100, a 100-megawatt reactor designed for flexible, continuous power generation.
Technical collaboration between Natura and national lab
The partnership with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory aligns with federal efforts to support nuclear innovation through public-private cooperation. With access to DOE’s specialised expertise and advanced research facilities, Natura could accelerate its deployment timeline for one of the first Generation IV reactors in the country.
Natura’s model uses liquid fuel dissolved in molten salt, allowing operation at high temperatures and atmospheric pressure. This design aims to reduce safety risks while lowering waste output. It also enables the use of various fuel types, including recycled nuclear waste.
Deployment targets by 2030
Natura plans to deploy a 1-megawatt demonstration reactor at Abilene Christian University by 2026. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for the site in September 2024. The industrial-scale MSR-100, aimed at power production and wastewater desalination for the oil and gas sector, is expected to enter commercial operation in 2030.
The MSR-100’s modular design is intended to reduce capital expenditures compared to conventional reactors, while remaining cost-competitive with other forms of stable, round-the-clock generation such as natural gas. Natura is targeting regions with high energy demand and water stress, such as the Permian Basin.
