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Idaho National Laboratory presenter outlines role of four test reactors in nuclear research
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Summary
A presenter at the Idaho National Laboratory said the lab operates four research test reactors that evaluate fuels and materials for future commercial reactors, explaining that test reactors run at lower temperatures and pressures and do not produce power.
A presenter at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) said the lab operates four research test reactors that evaluate fuels and materials intended for commercial reactors.
"Here at INL, our nuclear reactors are used for research," the presenter said, adding that the reactors test fuels and materials "that commercial reactors will use down the road." The presenter asked, "So what's the difference between a test reactor and a commercial [reactor]?" and then answered the question.
The presenter stated, "Test reactors operate at lower temperature and pressures than commercial reactors," and added, "Test reactors also don't produce power." The presenter listed the lab's four test reactors as the Transient Test Reactor Facility (TREAT), the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), the Advanced Test Reactor Critical (ATRC) and the Neutron Radiography Reactor (INRED).
The presenter said the four test reactors "serve a distinct and special purpose in the mission to develop new reactor technologies for a variety of federal agencies, universities, and nuclear industry developers." No formal actions, votes or policy decisions were recorded in the briefing.
The remarks were presented as an informational description of INL's research capability and the technical role of test reactors versus commercial power reactors.
