Adapted by:
Juan Carlos López
Senior WriterAn engineer by training. A science and tech journalist by passion, vocation, and conviction. I've been writing professionally for over two decades, and I suspect I still have a long way to go. At Xataka, I write about many topics, but I mainly enjoy covering nuclear fusion, quantum physics, quantum computers, microprocessors, and TVs.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
China has established itself as a leader in nuclear energy, becoming the country that other nations look to for inspiration. It currently operates 56 nuclear reactors, the same amount as France. Only the U.S. has more, with 94 active reactors. However, China’s ambitions in nuclear energy far exceed those of France. The Asian country is in the process of constructing 30 additional reactors and plans to develop another 37 in the future.
One of China’s key advantages is its commitment to innovation. A prime example is the TMSR-LF1 (Thorium-based Molten Salt Experimental Reactor). This reactor received approval from China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration in mid-June 2023, following a successful initial testing phase that began in 2021. Since then, it’s adhered closely to the development schedule established by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, which is tasked with its optimization.
In an X post, nuclear engineer Nick Touran explained that the TMSR-LF1 reactor officially began operations on Oct. 11, 2023. By June 17, 2024, it was operational at full power. Additionally, on Oct. 8, 2024, technicians monitoring the reactor detected protactinium-233. This is an intermediate radioactive isotope produced during the conversion of thorium to uranium-233 as part of the thorium fuel cycle.
The TMSR-LF1 Is at the Forefront of Countries Investing in Nuclear Energy
The TMSR-LF1 nuclear reactor is situated at the Minqin industrial complex in Gansu province in Northern China. With a thermal capacity of 2 MWt, it may not be the first fourth-generation nuclear reactor or the first to use thorium as fuel. However, it’ll be the first molten salt reactor to utilize thorium. China’s ambitions don’t stop there. The Asian country also plans to construct a larger thorium-based molten salt reactor by 2030.
Notably, China isn’t the only nation pursuing this technology. The U.S., France, and India are also investing in research programs aimed at developing nuclear reactors that can generate electricity from thorium. India’s efforts focus on demonstrating the feasibility of thorium-based fuel cycles within the context of its advanced heavy water reactor project. While this technology is still not widely adopted, its benefits are closely linked to the future of nuclear power.
Thorium is as easy to extract as uranium but not directly fissile.
Experts estimate that our planet holds around 12 million tons of thorium. This makes it three times more abundant in the Earth’s crust than the uranium currently used as fuel in nuclear power plants. The largest deposits of thorium are found in the U.S., China, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Greenland, Russia, Norway, South Africa, and Venezuela. Remarkably, India, which is heavily investing in the development of thorium-based reactors, is the country with the most thorium resources.
One advantage of thorium is that it can be extracted with the same ease as uranium. However, it has a significant drawback: Thorium isn’t directly fissile. It must be placed in a reactor that converts thorium into uranium. Although the process produces uranium-233 rather than uranium-235, the key point is that this element is fissile. Once this uranium is produced, it can be used in conventional reactors. These aren’t designed to operate directly on thorium but can work with a derivative.
Additionally, experts suggest that molten salt nuclear reactors are safer than the reactors currently running in operational nuclear power plants.
Two key reasons for this increased safety are that they use lithium fluoride and beryllium salts as coolants at very low pressure. The fuel remains dissolved in salt form, significantly reducing the likelihood of a reactor core meltdown. Moreover, these reactors can be installed underground, which enhances their safety. Another notable feature is that they can be refueled while in operation.
China is focusing on this technology to develop fourth-generation nuclear power plants in some of the country’s most remote and arid regions.
Additionally, the ability to operate without the need for water to cool the core allows for installations in areas where water is scarce or where there are no rivers or access to the sea. This is one of the key reasons why China is investing in the development of this technology. In fact, the country aims to build fourth-generation nuclear power plants in its most remote and arid regions.
The radioactive waste generated by molten salt reactors has a much shorter half-life compared to waste from uranium reactors, making it easier to manage. Molten salt reactors are also more fuel-efficient–thorium’s efficiency is significantly higher than that of uranium. Practically all of the fuel is utilized in nuclear fission, theoretically maximizing its usage.
Image | Arthur Wang
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