Recently, the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences released the Environmental Impact Report of the Small Modular Thorium-based molten salt Reactor Research Facility Project (Site selection stage), revealing that a new 10 MW small modular Thorium-based molten salt reactor project will be built, with a design maximum thermal power of 60 MWt.

The project aims to achieve system integration and verification of research reactors, and provide necessary technology, data and experience for the construction of large commercial reactors. At the same time, through the construction of research reactors and related facilities, it has driven the development of a large number of materials and high-end equipment manufacturing technologies. The report said.

Molten salt reactor is the fourth generation nuclear power plant type, using high temperature molten salt as coolant, with high temperature, low pressure, high chemical stability, high heat capacity and other thermal properties. Because there is no need to use expensive pressure vessels, it is suitable for building compact, lightweight and low-cost small modular reactors.

In addition, molten salt reactors can use thorium as fuel, reducing the external dependence on uranium. Thorium is abundant in the crust surface. "Economic Daily" has reported that the ratio of thorium uranium reserves in China is about 6:1, and the proven thorium industrial reserves are about 280,000 tons, ranking second in the world.

At present, China has built a 2 MWt liquid fuel Thorium-based molten salt Experimental Reactor (TMSR-LF1), located in Hongshagang Industrial Cluster, Minqin County, Wuwei City, Gansu Province, the construction and operation unit is Shanghai IWO.

The latest research reactor will also be built and operated by the Shanghai Institute of Materials, and the proposed site is also located in the Hongshagang industrial cluster in Minqin County, near the MTSR-LF1. The project will also build thorium-based fuel salt research center, radioactive waste preparation center, research reactor generator room (including electric control building and 35kV booster station), 35kV substation and other supporting facilities.Editor/Zhang Liyuan