Development Principles for Thermal-Spectrum Molten-Salt Breeder Reactors

Abstract

Thermal-spectrum molten-salt breeder reactors (MSBRs) have potentially highly advantageous characteristics. This paper provides guiding principles to increase the probability of realizing their potential in future deployments. The guiding principles range from specific technology recommendations, to means to minimize the impact of current nuclear supply chain issues, to approaches to decreasing the difficulty of safety adequacy assessment, to methods to minimize proliferation vulnerability. The most substantial overall recommendation, however, is to initiate a modern, thermal-spectrum MSBR development program.