China's TMSR-LF1 Achieves Full Power with Thorium-based Molten Salt Technology
China's TMSR-LF1 reactor, operational since June 2024, integrates thorium and molten salt technology, reviving U.S. research from 1965. This development signifies a major shift in nuclear energy, potentially reducing waste and proliferation risks.
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The TMSR-LF1, a 2 MW molten salt reactor in Gansu, China, achieved full power in June 2024, marking a significant advancement in nuclear technology. Originally developed in the U.S. in 1965 and discontinued due to geopolitical reasons, this reactor represents the first successful integration of thorium fuel into a molten salt system.
The project, initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2011, saw its construction completed three years ahead of schedule in 2021. Moving forward, China aims to build a 10 MW demonstration reactor by 2029 and a 100 MW project by 2035. The implications of this technology include enhanced safety features and reduced nuclear waste longevity compared to traditional uranium reactors.
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