Nuclear reactor loading system and methods of use thereof

A system comprising

• a molten salt loop configured to circulate a liquid molten salt through a reactor vessel and a heat exchanger;
• a loading system configured to introduce a nuclear fuel material into the circulated liquid molten salt;
• and
• a concrete structure defining a thermal and radioactive barrier between the loading system and reactor vessel and/or the heat exchanger,
• wherein the loading system introduces said nuclear fuel material through a passage in the concrete structure.

A system comprising

• a fuel storage including a nuclear fuel material in an inert chamber;
• a reactor vessel having a graphite moderator therein;
• a concrete structure defining a reactor cell housing the reactor vessel therein, the concrete structure separating the nuclear fuel material from the graphite moderator and providing a thermal and radioactive barrier therebetween;
• and
• a chute providing an introduction route for the nuclear fuel material between the inert chamber and the reactor vessel, the chute selectively closable to maintain isolation between the unintroduced nuclear fuel material and the graphite moderator material.