Submission + - China's experimental molten salt reactor receives operating licence 1
sonlas writes: China's National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) has granted a license for the operation of the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor — Liquid Fuel 1 (TMSR-LF1), a Generation IV reactor, by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP). The project, costing $450 million, was completed in 2021. China is not the first to build a thorium reactor, but previous attempts had only reached the experimental stage.
This reactor, utilizing a special salt coolant, is designed to run at high temperatures for up to 10 years. These new reactors do not need to be built by the seaside and can reach very high temperatures, significantly increasing electricity production efficiency. But that's not the only advantage, as Thorium, which serves both as fuel and coolant, produces very little radioactive waste and is a much more abundant resource than Uranium. In fact, China possesses one of the world's largest thorium reserves, which experts believe are sufficient to power the country for over 20,000 years.
If successful, China plans to build larger Generation IV reactors by 2030, and export this technology, particularly to countries in the Global South..
This reactor, utilizing a special salt coolant, is designed to run at high temperatures for up to 10 years. These new reactors do not need to be built by the seaside and can reach very high temperatures, significantly increasing electricity production efficiency. But that's not the only advantage, as Thorium, which serves both as fuel and coolant, produces very little radioactive waste and is a much more abundant resource than Uranium. In fact, China possesses one of the world's largest thorium reserves, which experts believe are sufficient to power the country for over 20,000 years.
If successful, China plans to build larger Generation IV reactors by 2030, and export this technology, particularly to countries in the Global South..
Submission downvoted ? (Score:2)
Funny how the anti-nuclear trolls are downvoting this story, although this is news and a big milestone.
Luckily, not having this story on slashdot front page will not change reality and facts. Better to keep our heads in the sand while China keeps increasing their advance.