At binding.energy 2025, Dr. Goetz Ruprecht laid out a bold vision: A nuclear reactor so efficient that it outperforms both conventional nuclear and renewables by orders of magnitude in energy return.
The concept?
A novel reactor design by Dual Fluid, combining:
Fast neutron spectrum
Liquid metal coolant
Liquid fuel with full actinide recycling
“We no longer need to choose between energy density and flexibility. With Dual Fluid, we can have both.”
EROI measures how much energy you get out for every unit of energy you put in.
Oil: ~20:1
Wind: ~10–20:1
Solar: ~6–10:1
Current nuclear: ~75–100:1
Dual Fluid (projected): 1,000+:1
This is achieved by:
Higher burn-up rates (up to 100%)
Continuous operation for 25+ years
Small footprint and low auxiliary energy needs
Unlike conventional reactors, the Dual Fluid concept separates:
The coolant → a lead-bismuth eutectic metal
The fuel → a molten mixture of actinides (e.g. uranium, plutonium)
This allows:
Very high operating temperatures (~1,000 °C)
Fast neutron spectrum → enables full actinide burning
No need for fuel enrichment or reprocessing
Substantially higher thermal efficiency (~45–50%)
Ability to burn spent nuclear fuel and plutonium
Simple, modular design for mass manufacturing
| Energy Technology | Estimated EROI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic Solar | 6–10 | Low density, intermittent |
| Wind | 10–20 | Weather dependent |
| Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) | 75–100 | High complexity, batch fuel |
| Dual Fluid Reactor | 1,000+ | Fast spectrum, liquid fuel, full actinide burn-up |
Ruprecht outlined current development milestones:
Concept validation completed
Fuel salt behavior verified in simulants
Pre-licensing dialogue in Canada & Germany
Pilot demonstration targeted for 2030
The system is modular, factory-producible, and designed to deliver low LCOE even in remote regions.
“We’re turning nuclear waste into high-grade fuel—and doing it with maximum efficiency.”
| Use Case | Impact |
|---|---|
| 🏭 Industrial heat | Hydrogen, steel, chemicals at 1,000 °C |
| 🇪🇺 Waste cleanup | Consumes actinides, reduces disposal volume |
| 🌍 Off-grid power | Energy independence for remote sites |
| 💼 Export platform | Modular format for international deployment |
Dual Fluid is also part of pan-European innovation initiatives in collaboration with research labs and private investors.
With the Dual Fluid concept, efficiency becomes exponential. It redefines how we measure nuclear success—not just in MW or safety margins, but in total energy return and resource stewardship.
“When you make waste a fuel and efficiency your baseline, everything changes.”
