China's First Experimental Fast Reactor Begins Operations

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources China (Beijing, China)--China's first experimental fast neutron reactor was connected to the grid and began to generate electricity on July 21, 2011, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) (Beijing) announced on the same day.

China's experimental fast reactor is a key project in the nation's "863" research and development program. "The successful operation of the unit is a breakthrough in the nation's forefront fast reactor technology, which marks that China has made an important step toward the establishment of a sustainable advanced nuclear energy system," said CNNC in its announcement.

The reactor is jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and the CNNC. The China Institute of Atomic Energy (Beijing), a subsidiary of the CNNC, is responsible for the implementation of the project. In May 2009, the experimental neutron fast reactor conducted its heat debugging operation, and the reactor reached its first nuclear criticality on July 21, 2010.

With the adoption of a pool type structure, the reactor has a nuclear heat power of 65 megawatts (MW) and an experimental power-generating capacity of 20 MW. It is among a few experimental, power-generating fast reactors in the world.

In terms of major system deployment and parameter selection, the reactor is similar to a large fast reactor power plant. With the adoption of several passive safety technologies, its safety requirements have reached those of a fourth-generation nuclear power plant.

"The fast neutron reactor is a major type of fourth-generation nuclear power plant, and it sets the direction for the development of the fourth-generation nuclear power plants," said Xu Mi, the chief expert for the reactor.

According to Xu Mi, a fast reactor can make better use of the nuclear energy by increasing the utilization rate of uranium from 1% in a traditional pressurized water reactor to more than 60%. In addition, the reactor technology could minimize the radiation discharge, Xu said. The development and popularization of the new technology can play an important role for the development of a sustainable nuclear power industry and the establishment of an advanced fuel-recycling system in China.

After more than 20 years of study of the fast-reactor technology, CNNC is now engaged in developing commercial fast reactors at gigawatt level.

Among the leaders and representatives present were Sun Qin, the general manager of CNNC; Yang Changli, the deputy general manager of CNNC; and Lei Zengguang, the chief engineer of CNNC.

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