Danish nuclear startup Seaborg Technologies has confirmed an earlier decision to change the fuel and moderator technology for its Generation IV compact molten salt reactor (CMSR) – a move sparked by potential shortages of high-assay-low-enriched uranium (Haleu).
The company said the CMSR will now be designed to use a low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel instead of Haleu.
The moderator for the reactor will need to be changed from sodium hydroxide to graphite, the company said.
Seaborg said the risks associated with developing a sufficient supply of Haleu motivated the move to change the fuel type for the CMSR.