Chinese molten salt reactor achieves conversion of thorium-uranium fuel
17 days ago
- #thorium reactor
- #nuclear energy
- #molten salt reactor
- Construction of the 2 MWt TMSR-LF1 reactor began in September 2018 and was completed ahead of schedule in August 2021.
- The reactor received approval for commissioning in August 2022 and an operating license in June 2023, achieving first criticality on 11 October 2023.
- TMSR-LF1 uses fuel enriched to under 20% uranium-235, has a thorium inventory of about 50 kg, and a conversion ratio of about 0.1.
- In October 2024, the world's first thorium addition to a molten salt reactor was completed, establishing a unique thorium-uranium fuel cycle research platform.
- On 1 November, TMSR-LF1 achieved the first conversion of thorium and uranium nuclear fuel, marking a milestone in thorium fuel incorporation.
- The thorium-based molten salt reactor allows for refueling without shutting down, improving fuel utilization and reducing radioactive waste.
- The next goal is to complete a 100 MWt thorium-based molten salt reactor demonstration project by 2035.
- Molten salt reactors (MSRs) use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant and can operate with various fuels, including thorium.