Nichols Martin
Battelle Energy Alliance is seeking industry interest to design and construct a fast neutron testing facility for the Department of Energy.
The company said Monday it is helping DOE develop and deploy the Versatile Test Reactor that will facilitate radiation tests for current and future designs.
VTR will be designed to simulate the effects of years of reactor core activity in a matter of months via high-intensity neutron bombardment.
The department may begin the VTR’s construction by 2022 and have the facility ready for operations by 2026.
Idaho National Laboratory is leading the DOE effort, and BEA is the lab’s managing contractor.
Rita Baranwal, assistant secretary of nuclear energy at DOE, announced the opportunity Monday at a meeting with the American Nuclear Society.
BEA now seeks interest from industry entities to build the VTR under a cost-sharing agreement.
