RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Kyra Lawson
Independent Research
2015-2016
Title: Eliminating Waste: Molten Salt Reactors
Introduction and Overview of Research:
The purpose of this research is to examine the differences between molten salt reactors (MSRs)
and pressurized water reactors (PWRs). If MSRs are proved to have a great advantage over
PWRs, they will have a high chance of producing power in the future, improving the technology
and potential within the field of nuclear engineering. If MSRs are efficient enough, they may
have the capability of becoming the major energy source in the world, replacing fossil fuels. If
the public is informed on the potential of MSRs, clean and efficient power may make of the
majority of power sources, improving the environment while also producing great amounts of
energy.
Background and Rationale:
The idea of MSRs was formed in the 1950s and 60s and was closely examined throughout the
60s and 70s. A salt breeder reactor was first operated at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(ORNL) for the Manhattan Project; it was the first nuclear reactor to use U-233. This original
design required 33% enriched fuel (20% is the legal limit), operated at 600-700C, and had a
four-year moderator replacement schedule (Molten salt reactors). This design did not supply
great amounts of power following its construction because compared to the other well-known
reactor design, the pressurized water reactor (PWR), it was too bulky, inefficient, and expensive
(National Geographic). PWRs use water as a coolant, reach temperatures around 325C, and
operate at 150 times atmospheric pressure (Nuclear power reactors). The MSR designs are
currently under reexamination by many companies and government organizations. These
companies include: Transatomic Power, Terrestrial Energy Inc., Flibe Energy, and various
companies/organizations overseas. The MSRs ability to automatically prevent meltdowns is
very important to nuclear engineers today; the main reason nuclear power is not supported is due
to radioactivity dangers. China is leading the research and development of MSRs throughout the
world. There have been many ideas for various innovations to add/change to the original MSR;
however, no physical reactor has yet been constructed.
Transatomics MSR design uses up to 96% of fuel, can be fueled by nuclear waste or 1.8%
enriched uranium, can be easily shipped due to compact parts, runs off of liquid fuel rather than
solid, and operates at atmospheric pressure; all while retaining the original ability of preventing a
meltdown (The science). Some companies are attempting to create thorium and/or breeder
molten salt reactors. For example, Flibe Energy is developing a liquid-fluoride thorium reactor
(LFTR) with thorium fuel instead of traditional uranium. Thorium is more efficient than uranium
because it releases more energy in fission, is more abundant on earth, and involves less waste

during the mining process (Our technology and vision). Both reactor types have the potential to
produce safe and efficient power.
Nuclear energy is becoming increasingly necessary due to climate change and the abundance of
CO2 emissions. Today, 20% of the worlds electricity comes from nuclear power plants. If
reliance on nuclear energy is not increased within the following decades, fossil fuels will
continue to supply most of the worlds energy, polluting the earth. Nuclear energy does not
produce greenhouse gases and creates minimal pollution, but it is not currently ideal to produce a
great amount of energy from nuclear power due to the high cost of plants and the final products
of radioactive waste. However, the relatively cheap and efficient MSR can replace the designs
used today, leading to a world of safe, reliable, and efficient power.
Research Methodology:
Research Question: Why is the molten salt reactor design important, and how will it affect the
future of nuclear energy?
Research Hypothesis: Because the MSR can be fueled by waste and is meltdown-proof, it is
more efficient and minimizes the problems that are associated with current reactor designs. If the
public can realize the true potential of nuclear energy, the MSR will take over the industry,
increasing the amount of CO2-free power.
Research Design Model: An evaluation design model will be used. This type of collection is
qualitative and quantitative; statistics and numerical information will be examined, compared,
and then used to conclude which design is better.
Data Collection: To support the hypothesis, a meta analysis of four scholarly journals will
compare the advantages/ disadvantages of MSRs and PWRs. Because building/testing a nuclear
reactor is not probable and experiments/tests on reactor designs already exist, a meta analysis is
the best data collection method. Through data collection, new comparisons and conclusions will
be made, contributing to the overall collection of information about nuclear energy.
Product Objectives:
The outcome and presentation of this research will be in the form of either an app or interactive
website. This product will allow users to build a nuclear reactor and test its efficiency, cost, and
other important aspects. When parts are chosen/put together, a message will appear explaining
the functions, advantages, and disadvantages of using those parts. This will be an effective way
to demonstrate to the public how difficult it is to design a reactor and why the MSR is one of the
best options. The audience for this product is high school engineers that have taken a chemistry
class and are interested in the future of energy. This audience is ideal to spread information on
nuclear power, possibly creating a larger group of students advocating nuclear power. Links/
access information will be sent to individuals of the audience; they will be informed of the

purpose of the app/website and will be asked to participate. The audience will receive this
information through teachers, messaging, and social media.
Logistical Considerations:
To create the project and product certain resources will be needed: online scholarly journals,
human resources, computer, app/website-creating resources/tools/skills, and methods to contact
the audience. The project will require a great amount of time, skill, and possibly money. It also
may be difficult to persuade students to use the app/website. In third quarter, a timeline will be
added that outlines the data collection, product development, and audience distribution.
Approval:

_____________________
Student Signature

_____________________
G/T Resource Teacher Signature

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Advisor Signature

References:
Molten salt reactors. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2015, from World Nuclear Association
website: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Current-and-Future-Generation/Molten-SaltReactors/
National Geographic. (2015, July 13). How to power the world with nuclear waste [Video file].
Retrieved from http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ng-live/150713-dewannuclear-lecture-nglive
Nuclear power reactors. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2015, from World Nuclear Association
website: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/PowerReactors/Nuclear-Power-Reactors/
Our technology and vision. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2015, from Flibe Energy website:
http://flibe-energy.com/
The science. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2015, from Transatomic website:
http://www.transatomicpower.com/the-science/