The University of Missouri (Mizzou) has contracted a consortium led by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to design its new research reactor. The consortium includes Hyundai Engineering Company, Hyundai Engineering America and US-based engineering firm MPR Associates.
Under the $10m contract, the consortium will undertake detailed programming studies and a preliminary site evaluation and will establish an initial project cost and schedule estimate for the entire site. This is expected to take approximately six months, and the results will be integrated into the preliminary design and licensing phase under a separate contract. The conceptual design of the reactor is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The total project is expected to take 8-10 years.
In 2023, Mizzou launched an initiative to build a new, larger research reactor, NextGen MURR. The existing Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR) began operation in 1966. It was upgraded from 5 MWt to 10 MWt in 1974, making it the highest-powered university research reactor in the USA. It currently operates six-and-a-half days a week, all year round and is the only US producer of medical isotopes yttrium-90, molybdenum-99, iodine-131 and lutetium-177, used for cancer and other treatments.
The new 20+ MWt NextGen MURR research reactor will expand these capabilities and also enable innovative developments. such as cancer treatment. It will be the largest capital investment in Mizzou’s history. “NextGen MURR represents our commitment to research that changes lives. It will allow Mizzou to lead the nation in producing critical medical isotopes while opening new frontiers in science, engineering and patient care,” said Mizzou President Mun Choi.
“The new reactor will be designed to meet the needs of the future,” Michael Hoehn II, programme director for NextGen MURR, said. “From isotope production to advanced materials testing and workforce development, this reactor will be a platform for innovation that empowers the next generation of scientists, engineers and healthcare providers … and most importantly, improve the lives of U.S. patients. It’s more than infrastructure – it’s a strategic national asset in the making.”
KAERI President Han Gyu Joo said: “Securing the design study contract for the project is a new success story for KAERI. Riding on this momentum, we will strive to lead in nuclear science and applications through the development and use of research reactor and other nuclear technologies.”
KAERI noted: “This marks Korea’s first involvement in a US nuclear reactor project, which greatly enhances Korea-US nuclear cooperation.”
However, KAERI has more than 30 years experience. This includes the independent design and operation of the HANARO research reactor in Korea, the Jordan Research and Training Reactor, the renewal of digital systems for the Bangladesh research reactor, and the installation of cold neutron sources for the Delft reactor in the Netherlands.
“This ground-breaking project will reinforce Korea’s reputation as the leading player in the global nuclear market and offer a unique opportunity for the Korea-US Alliance to advance mutual benefits utilizing science and technology”, noted Executive Vice President of KAERI, Dr In-cheol Lim.
