MSR-100 Reactor facility.
Nuclear reactor developer Natura Resources has announced the deployment of two advanced nuclear projects in Texas aimed at addressing regional energy needs.
These deployments are located in the Permian Basin and at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS Campus.
As part of the Permian Basin development, Natura has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Texas Tech University (TTU) and Abilene Christian University (ACU) to advance its molten salt nuclear reactor (MSR) technology.
This collaboration, which includes the Texas Produced Water Consortium (TxPWC) at Texas Tech, focuses on integrating MSR technology with water desalination systems. The goal is to provide a sustainable solution for water scarcity by purifying produced water from oil and gas operations, making it available for agricultural and other beneficial uses.
Doug Robison, founder and CEO of Natura Resources, commented: “Our collaboration with Texas Tech and ACU is a pivotal step in addressing Texas’ critical water and energy challenges. By leveraging our MSR technology, we aim to secure crucial water resources and drive innovation in clean energy.”
In a parallel effort, Natura is partnering with Texas A&M University to deploy the Natura MSR-100 reactor at the RELLIS Campus. This initiative is part of a broader project known as The Energy Proving Ground, which involves multiple nuclear reactor companies. The project aims to bring commercial-ready small modular reactors (SMRs) to the site, providing a reliable source of clean energy for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Doug Robison highlighted the significance of this deployment: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Texas A&M University to showcase how our technology can meet the energy needs of Texas and the nation. The Natura MSR-100 at the RELLIS Campus will play a crucial role in advancing our clean energy mission.”
The Natura MSR-100 is a small modular reactor (SMR) that utilizes molten salt reactor (MSR) technology.
The reactor uses a liquid fuel composed of fissile uranium material dissolved in a molten salt mixture. This design enhances safety, efficiency and produces less long-lived radioactive waste, according to Natura. The MSR-100 operates at lower pressures and includes passive safety mechanisms that reduce the risk of accidents.
