https://www.cas.cn/cm/202504/t20250411_5062915.shtml
The world’s only operational thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor was built in Gansu, and Shanghai will become a supply chain base
The world’s only completed and operational 2-megawatt thermal power liquid fuel thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor (TMSR) has been added with thorium and operates in Wuwei, Gansu. At present, the technical team is cooperating with domestic nuclear energy companies to promote the industrial demonstration application of thorium-based molten salt reactors, and Shanghai will also become a supply chain base.
From a technical point of view, molten salt reactors have excellent performance such as failure safety, waterless cooling, high temperature output, and normal pressure operation. It is the only system that can achieve efficient utilization of the thorium uranium cycle.
In the 1970s, the initial goal of China’s nuclear power “728 Project” started in Shanghai was to develop a 25-megawatt thorium-based molten salt reactor. In 1971, the Institute of Atomic Nuclear Research built a molten salt (cold) zero-power reactor. In 2009, starting from the major strategic needs of the country, the Chinese Academy of Sciences decided to “create something out of nothing” to develop advanced fission nuclear energy.
The United States gave up the development of molten salt reactors in the 1970s and made all research and development technical information public, waiting for “later destined people”. “Some American experts pointed out that giving up the development of molten salt reactors was a ‘forgivable mistake’.” The Chinese felt they were the “destined person” – not only reading every document thoroughly, but also reproducing it in the laboratory. However, to truly build a thorium-based molten salt reactor, there were still a lot of scientific and technological problems to be overcome. In the vast Gobi Desert in Wuwei, Gansu, the team did not publish papers or apply for any awards. They worked hard for more than eight years to build a 2-megawatt thermal power liquid fuel thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor. Overcoming many difficulties such as off-site construction and harsh natural conditions, the thorium-based molten salt reactor construction team simultaneously promoted safety review, civil engineering, installation, commissioning and other work. During the construction phase, many researchers were away from home for more than 200 days a year, staying at the construction site and equipment installation site. In order to concentrate resources to build the experimental reactor as soon as possible, the only newly built living facility in the entire park was a canteen.
Finally, at 11:08 on October 11, 2023, the experimental reactor became critical for the first time; at 10:12 on June 17, 2024, it reached full power operation for the first time. Coincidentally, on June 17, 57 years ago, China’s first hydrogen bomb exploded successfully.
Nowadays, while deepening the scientific and technological research and development of thorium-based molten salt reactors, the team is working closely with the domestic industry to accelerate the industrial demonstration and application of thorium-based molten salt reactors. With main equipment manufacturing bases in Shanghai, and experimental and demonstration application bases in Gansu, a clean and efficient energy system covering the “Belt and Road” region based on the TMSR could provide strong support for national energy security and the “dual carbon” strategy.
