US NANO Nuclear KRONOS MMR Main Helium Circulator Enters Detailed Design Phase

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. announced on September 3 that new progress has been made in the development of the main helium circulator for its KRONOS MMR energy system. The engineering collaboration with Howden, a Baker Hughes company, has advanced from preliminary engineering design to the detailed design phase.

The main helium circulator is a critical mechanical subsystem of the KRONOS MMR energy system, primarily responsible for driving the helium coolant circulation within the reactor to efficiently transfer heat generated in the core to downstream systems. The performance of this equipment directly affects the reactor's thermal-hydraulic performance, overall efficiency, and long-term operational reliability.

According to information disclosed by NANO Nuclear Energy, Howden is responsible for the engineering design of the main helium circulator and is developing a customized solution for the KRONOS MMR energy system, leveraging its experience in helium turbomachinery and high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology. To date, Howden has completed key engineering assessments, detailed three-dimensional design models, related engineering analyses, and formal design reviews with NANO Nuclear Energy's engineering team.

NANO Nuclear Energy stated that the next phase of work for both parties will include component qualification, material and performance testing, continuous design optimization, and manufacturing plan development. These efforts will lay the foundation for performance verification, manufacturability assessment, and integration of the main helium circulator subsystem with the KRONOS MMR energy system.

Prior to this development announcement, NANO Nuclear Energy had also announced the advancement of its fuel handling and storage system design collaboration with Fortil for the KRONOS MMR energy system. This system is used to handle, store, and manage nuclear fuel during reactor operation and is another critical subsystem of the KRONOS MMR energy system.

James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear Energy, stated that the main helium circulator entering the detailed design phase represents an engineering milestone in the development of the KRONOS MMR energy system, which will support the project's continued progress in prototype construction, regulatory licensing, and future deployment efforts.

The KRONOS MMR energy system is a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled micro-modular reactor. NANO Nuclear Energy stated that the project is currently in communication with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding pre-application activities for a construction permit and is collaborating with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.