DoE makes ATR available to others

[INL, 24 April] The US Department of Energy (DoE) has designated the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at its Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a National Scientific User Facility. The move will enable universities, laboratories and industry to conduct research at the ATR, which has previously been used exclusively by the DoE. The ATR is a pressurized water test reactor that operates at low pressure and low temperature. It has a total core power of 250 MWt, but typically operates at 110-120 MWt. It is the only US materials test reactor that can replicate multiple different reactor environments simultaneously. The reactor, which has been operating for almost 40 years, has produced much of the world's data on material and fuel response to the high radiation environments of power reactors. "By encouraging research and development at DoE's Idaho facility, we are advancing our nation's scientific know-how - necessary to spur construction of the next generation of nuclear plants," said Dennis Spurgeon, DoE Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said, "Idaho has a one-of-a-kind facility for nuclear research that will play a big role in determining how we meet the nation's future clean energy supplies." He added, "Today's announcement by the DoE means the doors are open at the Idaho National Lab for the research and study that will shape our energy future."

Further information

Idaho National Laboratory
US Department of Energy