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Abilene Christian University

rendering of Diagram of the basic ACU reactor design. The reactor is encased in concrete. Starting from the left the fuel storage, primary salt loop, and secondary salt loop are displayed. The diagram also shows emergency pool cooling for the reactor vessel, the off-gas handling system which exhausts to atmosphere, and experiments

Project Overview

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) engaged in pre-application interactions with Abilene Christian University (ACU) starting in August 2020. ACU’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) mission is to provide global solutions to the world’s need for energy, water and medical isotopes by advancing the technology of molten salt reactors while educating future leaders in nuclear science and engineering.

On September 16, 2024, the NRC issued a construction permit for the Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) to ACU.

On October 31, 2024, ACU submitted a revised Regulatory Engagement Plan related to its application for an operating license for the MSRR.

For more information, please see  Abilene Christian University (NRC Docket 05000610).

To subscribe to Abilene Christian University updates via GovDelivery, select Abilene Christian University MSRR from the Advanced Reactors category after entering your email into the GovDelivery system.

Pre-Application Activities

Product Type Reference Status
Fuel Qualification Methodology Topical Report Topical Report ML25063A192 Withdrawn
Regulatory Engagement Plan for Abilene Christian University Molten Salt Research Reactor – October 2024 Regulatory Engagement Plan ML24305A288 No review requested
 

 

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, March 18, 2025