Moltex Energy Canada Inc. (Moltex) is shaking up nuclear waste management with its revolutionary Waste to Stable Salt (WATSS) process. This innovative technology is set to transform nuclear waste management by providing economically viable solutions, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing the nuclear sector as it responds to increased global demand.
Moltex has successfully validated WATSS on used fuel bundles from a commercial reactor in Canada through state-of-the-art hot cell experiments executed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories marking a pivotal moment in closing the nuclear fuel cycle and advancing next-generation nuclear sustainability.
WATSS: A Game-Changer for Nuclear Energy
The WATSS process marks a significant leap forward by converting used nuclear fuel into an asset through an efficient 24-hour chemical process. Moltex has demonstrated that it can extract 90% of the transuranic material in 24-hours, with greater efficiency over longer periods of time.
This advancement not only vastly reduces nuclear waste volumes but also unlocks fresh economic opportunities for waste owners and utilities —options previously deemed unfeasible because of financial constraints and the availability of waste management capabilities following nuclear’s increased role in the global energy mix. With 66 reactors currently under construction and more than 80 SMR designs being progressed across the world, WATSS offers a financially attractive pathway to managing higher waste volumes more sustainably.
Rory O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Moltex said:
“It’s crucial that increased demand for nuclear energy is matched by increased back-end fuel cycle capabilities. WATSS is a transformative solution that not only reduces liabilities but also adds value, turning waste into a valuable energy asset.”
Global Solutions to Nuclear’s Waste Challenge
WATSS provides a robust, commercially viable alternative to conventional direct disposal methods. By coupling WATSS with Moltex’s Stable Salt Reactor – Wasteburner (SSR-W), the technology not only reduces waste volumes dramatically but also transforms nuclear waste into clean, dispatchable energy, permanently eliminating long-lived transuranic elements like plutonium. WATSS can produce fuel for other reactor types also.
Unlocking Investment
The development of WATSS, supported by entities such as the Government of Canada, the Province of New Brunswick, and NB Power, underscores the confidence in its potential to revolutionize the industry. Moltex’s collaboration with engineering partners like IDOM and CANDU Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company, showcases the extensive expertise backing the technology.
Indigenous communities in New Brunswick are also supportive of the technology having invested in its development.
Jim Ward, General Manager, North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council said:
“Our investment in Moltex was driven by the potential to make nuclear more sustainable and reduce nuclear waste liability. Moltex also engaged with us at the earliest stages of the project. We are pleased to see this important milestone being met and look forward to more to come.”
Enhancing Value through Consultancy Services
In addition to its technological breakthroughs, Moltex is offering consultancy services that present nuclear waste owners with essential solutions to assess and mitigate their liability risks effectively. This service is crucial for waste owners seeking expert guidance to navigate and explore whether their used fuel liabilities can be turned into an asset.
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