From blackout-news.de

China’s Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority has issued an operating license for China’s first thorium reactor. This is a significant milestone in the development of advanced nuclear technologies. The reactor, a two-megawatt liquid fuel thorium molten salt (MSR) reactor, is located in the city of Wuwei in the Gobi Desert in Gansu province. It is operated by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (scmp: 15.06.23).

Innovative nuclear technology: China grants operating licence for thorium reactor

The operating license, issued by the National Nuclear Safety Administration on June 7, allows the Shanghai Institute to operate the reactor for 10 years. However, the reactor must first carry out a test operation. The permit stipulates that the Shanghai Institute is responsible for the safety of the reactor.

China is relying on small, modular thorium reactors for the energy transition. Now the regulator has granted the first operating license
Image: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Thorium MSRs are a type of advanced nuclear technology that uses liquid fuels, usually molten salts, as both fuel and coolant (Blackout News: 18/09/21). They offer several potential advantages over traditional uranium reactors, including increased safety, reduced waste, and improved fuel efficiency. Thorium is also a more abundant resource compared to uranium, and China has significant thorium deposits.

Experts from China’s nuclear industry, speaking to the media, stressed that the reactor is a significant step forward for China’s nuclear sector. They said this shows the country’s progress in the development and application of advanced nuclear technologies. This positions China as a potential pioneer in thorium reactor technology.

Chinese institute launches module project to further develop and overcome technical challenges

According to information on the institute’s website, the Shanghai Institute has also launched a follow-up project. This is a small modular research facility for thorium-molten-salt reactors at the same site in the desert. The aim is to further develop the technology and overcome technical challenges. The institute emphasizes that small modular reactors offer several advantages, including flexibility, improved safety features and cost-effectiveness.

The widespread use of thorium reactor technology has the potential to boost China’s global competitiveness in the energy sector. This could strengthen the country’s energy supply, position China as a pioneer in advanced nuclear technologies and help protect the environment. However, according to industry experts, a number of technical, regulatory and economic challenges still need to be overcome in order to successfully deploy the reactors on a large scale. Previous attempts have failed.

The construction period of the reactor was originally planned to take six years. But scientists and engineers were able to complete the work in about three years. Progress has been much smoother than expected. It took more than two years for environmental authorities to confirm that the plant met the highest safety standards.

Crucial tests and gigantic energy source: China’s breakthrough with thorium MSR reactor

According to the information provided in the operating permit, the thorium MSR will undergo test operation after the first fuel use. The test involves the first approach to critical mass, the point at which the nuclear reaction proceeds on its own. This is a crucial step in the reactor start-up process and requires carefully controlled conditions to ensure safe progress to a self-sustaining state.

Another test involves deliberately shutting down the reactor or reducing its output to below 90 percent of maximum capacity. It is important to be able to control this process to ensure that the reactor operates within safe limits. According to the permit, a test report must be submitted to the National Nuclear Safety Administration within two months of the completion of all experiments specified in the test plan.

China is believed to have one of the largest thorium deposits in the world. The exact size of these deposits is not publicly known. However, experts estimate that it is sufficient to cover the country’s entire energy needs for more than 20,000 years.

Revolutionary site flexibility: China plans to expand thorium MSR reactors into inland cities

The abundance of this resource makes it attractive to China. If the Molten Salt reactors prove successful and viable for commercial use, they could help expand China’s nuclear energy supply to inland cities.

One advantage of thorium MSRs is their site flexibility. The use of molten salts as both fuel and coolant allows for more efficient heat transfer and potentially eliminates the need for large amounts of water, which is a significant advantage in areas with limited water resources.

Through the use of thorium MSRs, China could potentially build nuclear power plants in cities far from coastal areas. This could help diversify the country’s energy mix, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and meet the growing energy needs of inland regions.

Revolutionary cost reduction: China relies on small, modular thorium reactors for energy transition

Although China has made progress in the development and implementation of thorium MSR technology, several nuclear experts have pointed out that this does not necessarily mean that all technological challenges have been overcome. The development and deployment of new nuclear technologies, including thorium MSRs, can be costly. The launch of the Shanghai Institute’s small modular thorium-molten-salt reactor project suggests that China is interested in further reducing the cost of this technology.

These reactors are typically built in a factory and then transported to the installation site. They can be installed in many environments, including remote or off-grid areas. Their smaller size allows for easier scalability, allowing capacity to be gradually increased according to energy demand.

This modular approach to construction and installation can potentially reduce construction costs and project durations. The ability to manufacture components in a factory environment and transport them to the installation site can optimize the construction process and improve cost efficiency.

China is reportedly planning to sell small thorium reactors to other countries as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s global infrastructure plan. These reactors can provide an entry point into nuclear energy for countries or regions with lower energy requirements or limited grid infrastructure. Their lower capacity and modular nature make them more accessible and economically viable for these markets.