China’s Experimental Reactor Enables Continuous Refueling, Edging World Closer to Limitless Clean Energy

China Achieves Breakthrough in Thorium Nuclear Reactor Technology

China has reached a major milestone in nuclear energy with the successful operation of a thorium-based molten salt reactor (MSR) that can be refueled while running, a leap toward safer, more efficient nuclear power. Located in Wuwei, Ghent Province, the experimental reactor marks the first long-term, stable use of thorium MSR technology, which uses liquid fuel and molten salt as a coolant.

Key Developments

• Continuous Operation: The reactor, developed using declassified U.S. research from the 1960s, achieved the ability to refuel while operating, enabling uninterrupted power generation.
• Safety and Efficiency: Thorium MSRs are inherently safer than traditional uranium reactors, producing less waste and reducing the risk of meltdowns. The reactor’s design uses liquid fuel, which allows passive cooling and automatic shutdown in emergencies.
• Scalability: The current 2-megawatt reactor powers 2,000 homes, but a larger 500-megawatt version is planned for 2030, potentially revolutionizing energy grids.

The experimental thorium molten salt reactor in Wuwei, Ghent Province.

Why Thorium?

Thorium, a naturally abundant element, is not fissile on its own but can be converted into uranium-232 when exposed to neutrons. This process occurs in the reactor’s molten salt mixture, creating a self-sustaining fuel cycle. China’s vast thorium reserves, particularly in Inner Mongolia, could supply the country’s energy needs for thousands of years.

How thorium is converted into usable nuclear fuel in an MSR.

Global Context

While fusion reactors like China’s “artificial sun” (EAST) and the ITER project in France aim to replicate the Sun’s energy process, thorium MSRs offer a near-term solution using proven fission technology. Unlike fusion, which remains experimental, thorium reactors could be deployed within a decade.

Quote:
“We mastered every technique in the literature, then pushed further. In the nuclear game, there are no quick wins—just decades of focus,” said project leader Xu Honglei.

Future Outlook

China’s breakthrough positions it as a leader in next-gen nuclear tech. With plans to expand thorium reactor capacity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, this innovation could transform global energy landscapes, offering a cleaner, nearly limitless power source.

Thorium fission vs. nuclear fusion: Two paths to clean energy.

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