TMSR-LF1

"Project 728" was launched in 1970 to develop nuclear power in China to mitigate an energy crisis caused by industrial fossil fuel demand exceeding domestic supply. Its initial goal was to build a 25 MW_e power plant based on the Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US; a demonstration MSR was built that achieved criticality in 1971, but was not intended to produce power. Further progress was hampered by the technological, industrial, and economic conditions in 1970s China however, and a pragmatic decision was made develop pressurized light water reactors (PWRs) instead; their first commercial reactor, CNP-300 at Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, began operations in 1991.{{cite web |title=Brief Introduction [to SINAP, in English] |url=http://english.sinap.cas.cn/about_sinap/brief_introduction/ |website=SINAP |access-date=19 April 2025}}{{cite web |date=8 February 2020 |title=50年前的今天，根据周总理批示，这项工程启动，代号728 |url=http://www.ns.org.cn/site/content/7388.html |publisher=Chinese Nuclear Society |access-date=18 April 2025 |quote=最开始，也曾选择钍基熔盐堆作为发展民用核能的起步点，上海728 工程于1971年建成了零功率冷态熔盐堆并达到临界。但限于当时的科技、工业和经济水平，728工程转为建设轻水压水堆。}}{{cite web |author=Yafen Liu, Rui Yan, Yang Zou, Shihe Yu, Bo Zhou, Xuzhong Kang, Jifeng Hu, Xiangzhou Cai |date=14 February 2020 |title=Sensitivity/uncertainty comparison and similarity analysis between TMSR-LF1 and MSR models |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149197020300482 |website=Progress in Nuclear Energy |publisher=Elsevier |access-date=19 April 2025 |quote=China has also carried out research on molten salt reactor since 1970's. The Critical Experiment Device (hereafter the device) was established and a series of zero power experiments were performed for the research on the physics characteristics of MSR in Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP, then Shanghai Institute of Nuclear Research) from 1970 to 1973.}} The interest in MSR technology and Thorium breeding did not disappear however; additionally, the relative lack of water available for cooling PWRs west of the Hu line was seen as a limiting factor for them there (cf. Map of Chinese nuclear power plants).

Image:TMSR (SINAP CAS) logo.svg

File:TMSR-LF1 Sentinel2 HONC Timelapse 20180612-20250413.webm (2018-2025) from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery]]

In January 2011 the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) began the TMSR research and development project to create reactors which, among other advances, would use air cooling.{{cite web |url=https://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Downloadable/Meetings/2016/2016-10-31-11-03-NPTDS/05_TMSR_in_China.pdf |title=Thorium Molten Salt Reactors (TMSR) Development in China |author=Dai Zhimin, Zou Yang, and Chen Kun |date=4 November 2016 |publisher=International Atomic Energy Agency |access-date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708020158/https://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Downloadable/Meetings/2016/2016-10-31-11-03-NPTDS/05_TMSR_in_China.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=dead }} Its budget was reportedly ¥3 billion ($444 million US). and is led by Xu Hongjie ({{lang|zh-Hans|徐洪杰}}), who previously headed the construction of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility,{{cite web

|url=http://www.heneng.net.cn/home/zc/infotwo/id/68079/sid/33/catId/169.html

|title=徐洪杰：钍基熔盐堆核能系统（TMSR）现状与展望

|date=27 September 2022

|access-date=12 October 2022}} through the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), which now has MSR research and design facilities in the Jiading District.{{cite web

|url=http://www.sinap.cas.cn/rcdw/zpxx/202209/t20220919_6514554.html

|title=中国科学院上海应用物理研究所财务与资产处岗位招聘启事

|date=19 September 2022

|website=Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics

|access-date=19 September 2022

|quote=中国科学院上海应用物理研究所是国立综合性核科学技术研究机构，以钍基熔盐堆核能系统、高效能源存储与转换等先进能源科学技术为主要研究方向，同时兼顾核技术在环境、健康、材料领域的若干前沿应用研究，致力于熔盐堆、钍铀燃料循环、核能综合利用等领域的关键技术研发。研究所总体发展目标是用15年左右时间，以提高核能安全性、核燃料长期供应及放射性废物最小化为目标，在国际上率先实现钍基熔盐堆核能系统（TMSR）的系统验证和工业应用。研究所拥有两大园区，其中液态熔盐实验堆的研究与设计总部坐落在上海市科技卫星城嘉定区，实验堆坐落在甘肃省武威市民勤县，两园区分别占地面积共约400和1000亩。}} The initial project completed there was the TMSR-SF0, an electrically-heated (non-fissioning) simulator to aid development of a proposed "SF" (solid fuel, planned as TRISO,{{cite web |date=2013 |title=Fuel strategy for 2 MW SF-TMSR |url=https://inis.iaea.org/records/qjy89-f3y87 |publisher=IAEA |access-date=27 April 2025}} with molten salt only for cooling) branch of TMSR, as well as to gain operational experience using molten salt more generally. The SF0 has two liquid FLiNaK heat transport loops.{{cite journal |author=Jiajun Wang, Ye Dai, Yang Zou, Hongjie Xu |date=February 2024 |title=Uncertainty analysis of heat transfer of TMSR-SF0 simulator |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323005156 |journal=Nuclear Engineering and Technology |volume=56 |issue=2 |publisher=Korean Nuclear Society |pages=762–769 |doi=10.1016/j.net.2023.11.016 |bibcode=2024NuEnT..56..762W |access-date=2 March 2025|doi-access=free }}

The "LF" (liquid fuel) design is directly based on the 1960s MSRE.{{cite web |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2016/08/02/158134/fail-safe-nuclear-power/ |title=Fail-Safe Nuclear Power |author=Richard Martin |date=2 August 2016 |publisher=MIT Technology Review |access-date=27 July 2021}} The site selected for the TMSR-LF1 is part of an industrial park{{cite web |url=https://www.gswuwei.gov.cn/art/2021/4/15/art_253_313913.html |title=民勤红沙岗工业园区 |date=15 April 2021 |website=Website of Wuwei, Gansu |access-date=23 August 2022 |quote=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."]}} for the chemical and energy sectors, in a sparsely populated, arid region.{{ref|loc1|[location note]}} Site construction began in 2018. At the groundbreaking, a Taoist ceremony was held; after images of it went viral in China (an atheist state), CAS disciplined staff members, and issued a public apology.{{cite web

| url = https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/02/WS5ae90c03a3105cdcf651b71f.html

| title = 2 nuclear scientists suspended for failing to stop Taoist ritual

| date = 2 May 2018

| website = China Daily

| access-date = 16 June 2023

}} A reactor construction permit was issued by the Chinese National Nuclear Safety Administration in January 2020.{{cite web |author= |title=2020 Annual Report |url=https://nnsa.mee.gov.cn/english/resources/annual/202111/P020211126566353288286.pdf |publisher=National Nuclear Safety Administration (China) |language=en |access-date=2 March 2025}} The 2029 NNSA annual report states that "On January 13, 2020, the Construction Permit for the 2MWt TMSR-LF was issued." Construction was expected to finish in August 2021, with testing to follow.{{cite web |author=Stephen Chen |date=19 July 2021 |title=Could China's molten salt nuclear reactor be a clean, safe source of power? |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3141581/could-chinas-molten-salt-nuclear-reactor-be-clean-safe-source |access-date=31 July 2021 |website=South China Morning Post}}{{cite journal |author=Smriti Mallapaty |date=9 September 2021 |title=China prepares to test thorium-fuelled nuclear reactor |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02459-w |access-date=10 September 2021 |journal=Nature|volume=597 |issue=7876 |pages=311–312 |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-02459-w |pmid=34504330 |bibcode=2021Natur.597..311M |s2cid=237471852 |url-access=subscription }} In August 2022, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment informed SINAP that its commissioning plan for the LF1 had been approved.{{cite web |date=9 August 2022 |title=Chinese molten-salt reactor cleared for start up |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Chinese-molten-salt-reactor-cleared-for-start-up |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=World Nuclear News |publisher=World Nuclear Association}} A ten-year operating license was issued in June 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newschinas-experimental-molten-salt-reactor-receives-licence-10952226 |title=China's experimental molten salt reactor receives licence |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=20 June 2023 |access-date=8 April 2024}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.mee.gov.cn/xxgk2018/xxgk/xxgk09/202306/t20230613_1033619.html

| title = 关于颁发2MWt液态燃料钍基熔盐实验堆运行许可证的通知

| date = 7 June 2023

| website = Ministry of Ecology and Environment (China)

| access-date = 15 June 2023

}} For the first 5–8 years, it is to be run in batch mode, before converting to continuous mode.

Criticality was first achieved on 11 October 2023.{{cite web | url = https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3271978/china-sets-launch-date-worlds-first-thorium-molten-salt-nuclear-power-station | title = China sets launch date for world's first thorium molten salt nuclear power station | last = Chen | first = Stephen | date = 26 Jul 2024 | website = South China Morning Post | access-date = 29 July 2024 | quote= [TMSR-LF1] achieved criticality, or sustainable, chain nuclear reaction in October.}}{{cite web |author= |title=2023 Annual Report on Nuclear Safety |url=http://nnsa.mee.gov.cn/english/resources/annual/202410/P020241010638875318343.pdf |publisher=National Nuclear Safety Administration (China) |language=en |access-date=2 March 2025}} The 2023 NNSA annual report states that TMSR-LF1 was "in operation", had "achieved its first criticality at 11:08 AM on October 11", and SINAP had reactor operator licenses for 15 people, of whom 8 were classified as "senior operators".{{cite web |last=Krepel |first=Jiri |date=22 January 2025 |title=Overview and Update of MSR Activities within GIF |url=https://www.gen-4.org/resources/webinars/education-and-training-series-97-overview-and-update-msr-activities-within-gif |website=Generation IV International Forum |access-date=27 February 2025 | quote=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}} On 17 June 2024, full power (2MW_t) operation was achieved, and on 8 October, it operated at full power for 10 days with thorium in the molten salt; Protactinium-233 was detected, indicating successful nuclear breeding.

{{multiple image

| align = right

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| image1 = Conservativeness Study on the Seismic Analysis Method for Research Reactor Plant Structure Based on TMSR-LF1.fig2.png

| image2 = Conservativeness Study on the Seismic Analysis Method for Research Reactor Plant Structure Based on TMSR-LF1.fig1.png

| footer = LF1 building 3D model and floor plan published for seismic analysis; below-ground area (pink) holds the reactor.

}}

The TMSR-LF1 is a Generation IV reactor constructed with the following specifications:{{cite web |url=http://nucl-phys2018.physics.sjtu.edu.cn/sites/nucl-phys2018.physics.sjtu.edu.cn/files/Progress_of_TMSR_in_China-180927.pdf |title=Progress of TMSR in China |author=Hongjie Xu. Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)|date=27 September 2018 |access-date=25 May 2021}}{{cite web |url=http://samofar.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-TMSR-SAMOFAR%E2%80%94%E2%80%94Yang-ZOU-PDF-version-1.pdf |title=Research Progress of TMSR design |author=Yang Zou. SINAP, CAS|date=4-5 July 2019 |access-date=25 May 2021}}{{cite journal|last1=Chen|first1=Chang-Qi|last2=Xia|first2=Xiao-Bin|last3=Zhang|first3=Zhi-Hong|last4=Cai|first4=Jun|last5=Li|first5=Chang-Yuan|title=Radiological environmental impact analysis of a 2-MW thorium molten salt reactor during an accident|journal=Nuclear Science and Techniques|volume=30|issue=5|year=2019|page=78 |issn=1001-8042|doi=10.1007/s41365-019-0605-3|bibcode=2019NuScT..30...78C |s2cid=145927937 }}

• Thermal power: 2MW
• Fuel salt: FLiBe (>99.95% Li-7) with fluorides of zirconium, uranium (HALEU: 19.75% U-235), and thorium
• inlet temperature: 630 °C
• outlet temperature: 650 °C
• volume: 1.68 m³
• flow rate: ~50 kg/s
• Coolant salt: FLiBe
• inlet temperature: 560 °C
• outlet temperature: 580 °C
• flow rate: ~42 kg/s
• Cover gas: Argon (0.05 MPa)
• volume: 1.6 m³
• Moderator: nuclear graphite
• Structural Material: UNS N10003 superalloy
• Lifetime: 10 years
• equivalent full power days: 300
• maximum full power days per year: 60

The reactor is located underground, seated at the bottom of a 14m (46 foot) deep dry well, which is capped at ground level, and above which rises a 20m (66 foot) tall roofed atrium.{{cite journal |author=Rencong Dai, Wei Gong, Xiao Wang, Xiaoyan Wang, Decheng Cui |date=31 January 2024 |title=Conservativeness Study on the Seismic Analysis Method for Research Reactor Plant Structure Based on TMSR-LF1 |journal=Advances in Civil Engineering |volume=2024 |issue=1 |publisher=Hindawi |doi=10.1155/2024/1672269 |doi-access=free }} (Licensed CC BY 4.0)

A pilot plant based on the LF1, as well as a fuel salt research facility, is planned for the same site.{{ref|loc2|[location note]}} New reactor specifications include: core graphite 3 m tall x 2.2 m wide, 700 °C operating temperature, 60 MW thermal output, and an experimental supercritical carbon dioxide-based closed-cycle gas turbine to convert the thermal output to 10 MW of electricity.{{cite web |url=https://www.sinap.cas.cn/xwzx/tzgg/202212/P020221207808949039651.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211175036/https://www.sinap.cas.cn/xwzx/tzgg/202212/P020221207808949039651.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2022 |title=小型模块化钍基熔盐堆研究设施项目环境影响报告书（选址阶段）[Small Modular Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Research Facility Project Environmental Impact Report (site selection stage)] |date=August 2022 |publisher=SINAP |access-date=4 January 2023 |url-status=dead}} Construction is slated to start in 2025, and be completed by 2029. The reactor's output would be used to demonstrate hydrogen production by high-temperature water splitting{{cite web |date=December 2024 |title=The 20kW module/200kW high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell hydrogen production device has been selected into the first set of major technological equipment in the national energy field |url=http://english.sinap.cas.cn/Highlights/202412/t20241204_893098.html |website=SINAP |access-date=27 April 2025}} ("purple hydrogen").

Following the completion of the 10 MW project, construction of a commercial small modular reactor (SMR) of at least 100 MWe is scheduled to begin in 2030. A proposal, referring to it as the smTMSR-400, specifies 400 MW_th to generate 168 MW_e.{{cite web |date=2022 |title=Conceptual Design of 400MWt small Modular Thorium Molten Salt Demonstration Reactor (smTMSR-400) |url=https://inis.iaea.org/records/hhsdc-3qk87 |publisher=International Atomic Energy Agency |access-date=27 April 2025}} These are likely to be sited in central and western China, and may also be built outside China in Belt and Road Initiative nations; as low-carbon power plants, they would help to achieve the Chinese government's 2060 goal of carbon neutrality.

{{reflist}}

See also "Maps" section of the lede's infobox. The most recently published official site plan map is Figure 2.1-2 in [https://web.archive.org/web/20250316064024/https://www.mee.gov.cn/ywdt/gsgg/gongshi/wqgs_1/202411/W020241126568416127023.pdf]

{{note|loc1|LF1 Location:}} the LF1 reactor is sited within an industrial park located in Hongshagang (town), Minqin (county), Wuwei (prefecture), Gansu (province), China. The area is a semi-desert just south of the Badain Jaran section of the Gobi. As per official documentation, the TMSR-LF1 site is located at 38°57'31" N, 102°36'55" E. However, due to the China GPS shift problem, the reactor location using Western GPS coordinates is approximately 38°57'36.7" N, 102°36'43.7" E (about a third of a kilometer offset).

{{note|loc2|Second Location:}}The 10MW_e reactor building is planned for approximately {{coord|38.9593|102.6101}} (Western coordinates).

• [https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/molten-salt-reactors.aspx Molten Salt Reactors] ("China's dual programme" section) from the World Nuclear Association
• IAEA [https://nucleus.iaea.org/rrdb/#/home Research Reactor Database] See TMSR-LF1 entry (CN0021)

{{Nuclear power in China}}

{{Nuclear fission reactors}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Gansu

Category:Graphite moderated reactors

Category:Molten salt reactors

Category:Nuclear technology in China