Molten Salt Reactor / LFTR
Molten Salt family · Generation IV · Pre-commercial (lab-proven 1960s)
Fuel is dissolved in a liquid salt, so the reactor runs at near-atmospheric pressure and can refuel online. The thorium LFTR is the best-known concept. Proven at lab scale at Oak Ridge; no commercial unit yet.
How it works — schematic
🚧 Diagram in progress Simplified schematic for orientation, not an engineering drawing — we're actively refining these for accuracy.
Key specs
- Coolant
- Molten fluoride/chloride salt
- Moderator
- Graphite (or none)
- Fuel
- Fuel dissolved in salt (U / Th)
- Spectrum
- Thermal or fast
- Outlet temp
- ~650–700 °C
- Status
- Pre-commercial (lab-proven 1960s)
Real-world examples
- • ORNL MSRE (1965–69, historic)
- • ThorCon
- • Terrestrial Energy IMSR
- • Kairos (salt-cooled)
Strengths
- + Low pressure
- + Strong passive safety (freeze plug)
- + Online refueling
- + Thorium fuel option
Trade-offs
- – Corrosive salts
- – No commercial precedent
- – Fuel-salt reprocessing immature