Draft2:Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation

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The MARVEL Microreactor at INL

The Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project, also known as the Microreactor Program, supports research and development (R&D) of technologies related to the development, demonstration, and deployment of very small, factory-fabricated, transportable reactors to provide power and heat for decentralized generation in civilian, industrial, and defense energy sectors.

Led by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the program conducts both fundamental and applied R&D to reduce the risks associated with new technology performance and manufacturing readiness of microreactors. The intent is to ensure that microreactor concepts can be licensed and deployed by commercial entities to meet specific use case requirements

Official Site - energy.gov

Goals

Provide a 100-kW fission reactor for researchers and technology developers to gain operational experience with a real microreactor to advance technical maturity and enable new microreactor applications

Background

Under the auspices of the DOE Microreactor Program, INL is developing a nuclear microreactor applications test bed to perform research and development on various operational features of microreactors and enable improved integration of microreactors with end-user applications.

Development of the MARVEL test bed provides an opportunity to establish and exercise key capabilities to support future microreactor demonstrations by addressing:

• The need identified in engagements with potential end users of microreactor systems wanting more information about how microreactors meet their application needs.
• Development of a small-scale reactor for R&D purposes for the first time in nearly 50 years.
• Engagement and outreach with end users and stakeholders to perform research and development on the integration of microreactors with a range of anticipated applications, such as load-following electricity demand, process heat, hydrogen production, and water purification.
• Research and development to investigate and address issues and challenges related to the fabrication, assembly, rapid installation, deployment, authorization, and operation of microreactors to facilitate end-user adoption.

Stakeholders

The MARVEL development project coordinates work and activities across participating laboratories, universities, and industry as well as other DOE programs.

Participating national laboratories are

• Idaho National Laboratory
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Argonne National Laboratory
• Private organizations including Walsh Engineering, Creative Engineers Inc, and Qnergy

Contact

DOE Federal Manager

• Diana Li 301.903.1503
• diana.li@nuclear.energy.gov

National Technical Director

• John H. Jackson 208.526.0293
• john.jackson@inl.gov

Technical Area Lead

• Yasir Arafat 412.736.4886
• Yasir.arafat@inl.gov

Related

• Miniature neutron source reactor
• 5 Things You Need to Know about Fission Surface Power Systems
• Category:Nuclear

External links

• https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/idaho-national-laboratory-builds-full-scale-prototype-microreactor-project
• https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/new-marvel-project-aims-supercharge-microreactor-deployment
• https://inl.gov/article/forging-the-future-of-nuclear-power-inl-team-assembles-microreactor-prototype/
• https://inl.gov/article/inls-marvel-engineer-develops-nuclear-test-reactor-at-lightning-speed/
• https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/15/inside-the-marvel-micronuclear-reactor-project-at-idaho-national-lab.html

References

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