The proposed reactor is based upon the company’s Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) technology, which uses either chloride salt or molten fluoride as a fuel. The unique variable about this liquid fuel is that it can be used either to produce heat or act as a coolant – a factor the firm argues significantly improves the safety profile of any proposed plant.
Terrestrial Energy said: “With this profile, the IMSR is capable of driving the rapid global decarbonisation of the primary energy system by displacing fossil fuel combustion across a broad front.” It also added that such technology would offer reliable power for both on and off-grid electricity production as well as energy for industrial process heat generation.
The company is currently developing a commercial demonstration plant in Canada, though Terrestrial Energy will use the money raised so far to support preliminary engineering and licensing work.