Decouple Pass the Salt
Mar 25, 2025
Nick Touran, a reactor designer and nuclear historian known for his expertise in advanced nuclear technology, sheds light on the fascinating world of molten salt reactors. He dives into their ambitious Cold War origins and the challenges faced in aviation safety with nuclear propulsion. Touran discusses the evolution and operational hurdles of these reactors, along with the untapped potential of thorium as a fuel source. With captivating anecdotes and insightful analysis, he debunks myths and explores the future of this intriguing technology.
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Nuclear-Powered Aircraft
- The Air Force pursued nuclear-powered aircraft, spending $1 billion over a decade.
- The program developed the Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE) with molten salt fuel, but never flew a nuclear plane.
ARE's Purpose
- The Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE) at Oak Ridge aimed to create a compact, high-power reactor for aircraft.
- It used a molten salt fuel to address stability issues encountered with solid fuel.
MSR Advantages and Challenges
- Molten salt reactors (MSRs) present unique advantages like online refueling and potential for higher thermal efficiency.
- They also pose challenges related to fission product management and material compatibility at high temperatures.
