CORE DESIGN ACTIVITIES OF THE VERSATILE TEST REACTOR – CONCEPTUAL PHASE

The Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is a new fast spectrum test reactor being developed in the United States under direction of US Department Energy, Office Nuclear Energy. VTR mission to enable accelerated testing advanced fuels and materials required for technologies. This includes neutron irradiation capabilities which would support alternate coolants including molten salt, lead/lead-bismuth eutectic mixture, gas, sodium. aims at addressing most needs various stakeholders, primarily composed technologists, developers vendors, as well number others interested parties. Design activities are underway targeting first criticality date by 2026, with General Electric recently joining project contribute plant design. Current efforts focused on all aspects design, core design center initial steps. currently proposed 300 MWth sodium-cooled able reach peak flux levels excess 4.0x1015 n/cm2-s (and total level about 6.0x1015 n/cm2-s). In this configuration, it using ternary metallic fuel reactor-grade plutonium 5% low-enriched uranium.