“ORNL molten salt concept could lead to ‘smartphone’ of reactors”, Carolyn Krause, Oak Ridger

I recently had the opportunity to speak to the some of the ORNL “old-timers” who comprise the Friends of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (FORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN. FORNL is a non-profit organization focused on promoting the goals of ORNL. I have great respect for those who actually worked on the the ORNL-designed Molten-Salt Reactor Program (MSRP) in the 1950s and 60s. Syd Ball actually invited me, and many of you would know that Syd was a dynamicist who worked with Tom Kerlin on the control of the MSRE. He continues to advocate for the technology today.

Syd introduced me as “one of the foremost international promoters of and speakers on the thorium fuel cycle and molten salt reactors.” I was joined by Dr. Kurt Harris of Flibe Energy and gave a slide and video presentation about the thorium fuel cycle. My overall message was that thorium molten-salt reactors will lead to a more sustainable electricity source and have so many advantages over traditional pressurized water reactors (PWRs).