Advanced reactor for China’s power supply

After 20 years, China has a fast neutron reactor.

China has built its first experimental fast neutron reactor that will help make better use of the nuclear energy. The reactor passed official checks on yesterday after 20 years of development by Chinese scientists, said the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE).

CIAE said China is one of only a few countries with an operational fast neutron reactor. Called the “China Experimental Fast Reactor,” the experimental fast neutron reactor is regarded as a major breakthrough in China's three-step strategy to develop nuclear power.

China began with building pressurized water reactors, is proceeding to build fast neutron reactors and will eventually build fusion reactors.

The experimental fast neutron reactor has a power-generating capacity of 20 megawatts. It is classified as a large fast reactor power plant in terms of layout and size. Its safety requirements are suited to a fourth-generation nuclear power plant.

A fast reactor can make better use of nuclear energy by increasing the utilization rate of uranium to 60%, from the 1% utilization rate of a traditional pressurized water reactor.

Fast reactor technology can also minimize radioactive discharge and raise security levels of the nuclear energy system.

Begun in 1992, the fast-reactor program was jointly organized by the MOST, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the China National Nuclear Corporation. CIAE carried out the program in collaboration with hundreds of universities, research institutions and enterprises.