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Executive Summary
MARVEL stands for Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation. MARVEL is an 'open-source' microreactor design that is coming out of the Idaho National Laboratory. This 'open-source' idea is a response to commerical reactors such as eVinci from Westinghouse being closed-door endeavors. This isn't great, because it doesn't allow a place for everyone to communicate about designs. This is especially relevant for microreactors, where the low power model and economy-of-production model really benefits from common knowledge being out there.
MARVEL is a unique design that I haven't really seen before. First of all, coolant is by natural convection. This reactor system uses two coolant loops: the primary loop is sodium-potassium salt, while the secondary coolant is lead. These two fluids drive 'Stirling Engines', which are how the system generates power.
- [?] What are Stirling Engines? #MARVEL