China to build first-ever thorium molten salt nuclear power station
China will build the first thorium molten salt nuclear power station in the Gobi Desert, aiming for 10MW output by 2030, aligning with carbon neutrality goals, despite waste management concerns.
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China is set to construct the world's first thorium molten salt nuclear power station in the Gobi Desert, marking a significant advancement in nuclear technology. This facility will utilize molten salt as both a fuel carrier and coolant, with thorium as the primary fuel source, diverging from the traditional uranium-based reactors. Experts highlight that molten salt reactors are "inherently safer" than conventional water-cooled reactors, although they face challenges such as the corrosive nature of superheated salts and waste disposal issues. The project, which follows the successful operation of a prototype reactor, aims to generate 10MW of electricity and hydrogen by 2030. The initiative is part of China's broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and is expected to drive advancements in materials and manufacturing technologies. The thorium reserves in China are substantial, potentially meeting energy needs for thousands of years. While the scientific community expresses optimism about the technology's potential, concerns remain regarding waste management and operational reliability. The development of this reactor could influence global nuclear energy strategies, including those in Australia, where discussions about nuclear power are ongoing.
- China plans to build the first thorium molten salt nuclear power station in the Gobi Desert.
- The reactor is expected to be operational by 2030 and aims to produce 10MW of electricity.
- Molten salt reactors are considered safer than traditional nuclear reactors but face technical challenges.
- The project aligns with China's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
- Concerns about waste management and operational reliability persist among experts.
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According to the report, a prototype TMSR at the same location, which was designed to produce 2 megawatts of thermal energy but no actual electricity, achieved criticality in October last year.
Building on the results of the prototype, the new facility will produce 60MW of heat that will be used to generate 10MW of electricity and hydrogen as part of a larger renewable and low-carbon energy research hub.
Again, staggered overlapping construction - as described the groundwork for the third TMSR infrastructure could start in two years assuming there are no suprises that call for a change in design from the continuous running of the first, with the gnarly details of the third being sorted out from any new lessons arising from the this second one once completed.
The planned goal here is:
The project is part of China's campaign to become carbon neutral by 2060, which has seen Beijing funding research into a wide variety of low-carbon energy technologies including new types of large nuclear reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).
According to a paper previously published in the Chinese scientific journal Nuclear Techniques by the SINAP, China aims to begin producing 100MW TMSRs from 2030.
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