Hermes 2 – Kairos Application
 |
| Who: |
Kairos Power LLC
|
| What: |
Application for a construction permit for an advanced test reactor
|
| When: |
July 14, 2023 (date of application submittal)
|
| Where: |
Oak Ridge, Tennessee |
| Website: |
https://kairospower.com/ |
|
On this page:
Project Overview
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued construction permits for the Hermes 2 test reactor facility to Kairos Power LLC on November 21, 2024 (ML24324A021 and ML24324A022). Kairos Power LLC, is a U.S. based company developing a fluoride salt cooled high temperature reactor (KP-FHR) using TRISO fuel in pebble form.
| Plant Characteristic |
Description |
| Reactor Type |
Two low-power test reactors to support development of Kairos Power’s fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) technology |
| Containment Type |
Functional containment implemented principally by the high temperature TRISO particle fuel. The fuel utilizes a carbon matrix coated fuel particle, similar to that developed for high temperature gas-cooled reactors, in a pebble-based fuel element. (See SECY-18-0096 for a description of functional containment.) |
| Power Level |
35 MWth each unit |
| Fuel |
Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles embedded in a carbon matrix pebble. High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) |
| Balance of Plant |
Shared steam powered conversion system (Rankine Cycle) |
All public documents related to Kairos pre-application activities may be found in ADAMS using the "Advanced Search" tab with a "Document Properties:" selection of Docket Number is equal to 99902069. All public documents related to the Hermes 2 construction permit application review after acceptance may be found with a selection of Docket Numbers are equal to 05000611 and 0500612. For additional detail, see the following related pages:
Key Milestones
| Key Milestones |
Completion Date
Actual - A
Target - T |
| Application Tendered |
07/14/2023 - A |
| Acceptance Review |
| Acceptance Review Start |
07/17/2023 - A |
| Docketing Decision Letter Issued/Acceptance Review Complete |
09/11/2023 - A |
| Review Schedule Established/Schedule Letter Issued to Applicant |
10/11/2023 - A |
| Safety Review |
| Draft Safety Evaluation – Safety Evaluation sections drafted, and information gaps identified |
03/06/2024 - A |
| Safety Evaluation Completion – Additional information requested and evaluated. Audits complete. Safety evaluation sections updated. |
05/14/2024 - A |
| Advanced Safety Evaluation – Safety evaluation sections completed and assembled. |
06/05/2024 - A |
| Safety Evaluation Approval – NRC management and legal review complete. |
06/27/2024 - A |
| ACRS Review of Safety Evaluation – Advisory Committee for Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) meetings and review complete.* |
07/17/2024 - A |
| Final Safety Evaluation – Final Safety Evaluation updated and issued. |
07/19/2024 - A |
| Environmental Review |
| Draft Environmental Assessment – Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impacts issued |
04/19/2024 - A |
| Final Environmental Assessment – Final Environmental Assessment and Final Finding of No Significant Impacts issued. |
08/30/2024 - A |
| Hearing |
11/20/2024 - A |
| Construction Permit Issuance |
11/21/2024 - A |
*The review team will begin interacting with the ACRS subcommittee as soon as portions of the safety evaluation can be made available to the public. When the advanced safety evaluation is approved by NRC staff managers, it is promptly provided to the ACRS for subcommittee and full committee review and ACRS may write a letter to the staff commenting on the evaluation.
Public Involvement
| Date |
Description |
| 06/28/2023 |
Public Meeting To Discuss Hermes 2 Pre-Application Engagement and Kairos Power Future Plans
|