Thorizon and TNO test swappable cartridges for molten salt reactors

Dutch startup Thorizon and research institute TNO have launched a materials testing program for molten salt reactors. Instead of a permanent vessel, Thorizon seals the salt in self-contained cartridges replaced every five to ten years. Trials in Petten and Amsterdam will support licensing of the PIONEER test reactor and the planned Thorizon One commercial model.

• Cartridges are swapped every 5–10 years instead of a 50-year vessel
• Molten salt runs above 1,000 °F and corrodes structural metals
• Trials will back licensing of the PIONEER reactor in Petten
• The Netherlands targets 7 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050