| TMSR-LF1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | IV | ||||
| Reactor concept | MSR | ||||
| Fertile material | Thorium | ||||
| Status | Active | ||||
| Location | China | ||||
| |||||
| Coordinates | 38°57′37″N102°36′44″E / 38.9602°N 102.6122°E /38.9602; 102.6122 | ||||
| Main parameters of the reactor core | |||||
| Fuel (fissile material) | HALEU | ||||
| Fuel state | Liquid | ||||
| Neutron energy spectrum | Thermal | ||||
| Primary control method | Rods | ||||
| Primary moderator | Graphite | ||||
| Primary coolant | FLiBe | ||||
| Reactor usage | |||||
| Primary use | Prototyping | ||||
| Power (thermal) | 2 MW | ||||
| Criticality (date) | 11 Oct 2023 | ||||
| Operator/owner | SINAP | ||||
TMSR-LF1 (Chinese:液态燃料钍基熔盐实验堆lit.: "liquid fuelthorium-based molten salt experimental reactor") is a 2MWtmolten salt reactor (MSR)prototype operating in northwest China.[1][2][3][4][location note]
The TMSR facility grew from the collaborative efforts of "nearly 100 domestic research institutions, universities and industrial companies", and is now "the world's only research platform dedicated to molten salt reactors andthorium-uranium fuel cycle studies".[5]
The "LF" (liquid fuel) design is directly based on the 1960sMolten-Salt Reactor Experiment.[6] The site selected for the TMSR-LF1 is part of anindustrial park[7] for thechemical andenergy sectors, in a sparsely populated, arid region.[location note] Site construction began in 2018.[8] At the groundbreaking, aTaoist ceremony was held; after images of itwent viral in China (anatheist state), CAS disciplined staff members, and issued a public apology.[9]
A reactor construction permit was issued by the ChineseNational Nuclear Safety Administration in January 2020.[10] Unforeseen delays were caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic in China.[11] Installation of equipment was finished in 2022.[5] SINAP deputy director Cai Xiangzhou emphasized China's ability to produce the technology without the involvement of foreign entities, stating that "Over 90 percent of the reactor's components are domestically produced, with 100 percent localization of key parts and a fully independentsupply chain. This achievement marks the initial establishment of anindustrial ecosystem for thorium molten salt reactor technologies in China".[12]
Testing followed;[13][14] in August 2022, the ChineseMinistry of Ecology and Environment informed SINAP that itscommissioning plan for the LF1 had been approved.[8] A ten-year operating license was issued in June 2023.[15][16] For the first 5–8 years, it is to be run in batch mode, before converting to continuous mode.[8]
Criticality was first achieved on 11 October 2023.[17][18][19] On 17 June 2024, full power (2MWt) operation was achieved.[19] In September, it received a license to load thorium into the molten salt, the initial loading of which happened the following month,[5] and on 8 October, it operated at full power for 10 days with thorium in the molten salt;Protactinium-233 was detected, indicating successfulnuclear breeding.[19][20][21]
The TMSR-LF1 is aGeneration IV reactor constructed with the following specifications:[22][23][24]
The reactor is located underground, seated at the bottom of a 14m (46 foot) deepdry well, which is capped at ground level, and above which rises a 20m (66 foot) tall roofedatrium.[25]
民勤红沙岗工业园区位于民勤县红砂岗镇 ["Minqin Hongshagang Industrial Park is located in Hongshagang Town, Minqin County"...] 低碳新能源产业区：位于规划区东部，以第四代反应堆核能系统—钍基熔盐堆核能系统（TMSR）项目为基础，拓展高温制氢、布雷顿循环发电和二氧化碳资源利用，建成模块化钍基熔盐示范堆、大规模低碳新能源示范系统等，形成以模块化钍基熔盐堆为核心的低碳高效复合能源系统研发、示范与产业化基地。["Low-carbon new energy industrial zone: located in the east of the planning area, based on the fourth-generation reactor nuclear energy system-thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear energy system (TMSR) project, to expand high-temperature hydrogen production, Brayton cycle power generation and carbon dioxide resource utilization, and build modules. A thorium-based molten salt demonstration reactor, a large-scale low-carbon new energy demonstration system, etc., have formed a low-carbon and high-efficiency composite energy system R&D, demonstration and industrialization base with a modular thorium-based molten salt reactor as the core."]
[TMSR-LF1] achieved criticality, or sustainable, chain nuclear reaction in October.
At 11:08 on October 11, 2023, TMSR-LF1 achieved first criticality. At 12:10 on June 17, 2024, 2MWt full power operation was achieved. On October 8, 2024, TMSR-LF1 operated at full power for 10 days with thorium fuel, and Pa-233 was detected
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{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) (LicensedCC BY 4.0)See also "Maps" section of the lede's infobox. The most recently published official site plan map is Figure 2.1-2 in[1]
^LF1 Location: the LF1 reactor is sited within an industrial park located inHongshagang (town),Minqin (county),Wuwei (prefecture),Gansu (province),China. The area is asemi-desert just south of theBadain Jaran section of theGobi. As per official documentation, the TMSR-LF1 site is located at 38°57'31" N, 102°36'55" E. However, due to theChina GPS shift problem, the reactor location using Western GPS coordinates is approximately38°57′37″N102°36′44″E / 38.9602°N 102.6122°E /38.9602; 102.6122 (about a third of a kilometer offset).
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