China Fast Reactor 600 (CFR-600) | |
---|---|
Generation | Generation IV |
Reactor concept | Fast breeder reactor |
Status | Under construction |
Location | Xiapu County, Fujian province, China |
Coordinates | 26°48′13″N 120°09′18″E / 26.80361°N 120.15500°ECoordinates: 26°48′13″N 120°09′18″E / 26.80361°N 120.15500°E |
Main parameters of the reactor core | |
Fuel (fissile material) | UO2 (initial stage) MOX (later stage) |
Neutron energy spectrum | Fast |
Primary coolant | Liquid sodium |
Reactor usage | |
Power (thermal) | 1500 MWth |
Power (electric) | 600 MWe gross |
The CFR-600 is a sodium-cooled pool-type fast-neutron nuclear reactor under construction in Xiapu County, Fujian province, China, on Changbiao Island.[1][2] It is a generation IV demonstration project by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The project is also known as Xiapu fast reactor pilot project.[2] Construction of the reactor started in late 2017. The reactor will have an output of 1500 MWth thermal power and 600 MW electric power.[1][2] The fuel will be supplied by TVEL, subsidiary of Rosatom, according to the agreement signed in 2019.
The CFR-600 is part of the Chinese plan to reach a closed nuclear fuel cycle. Fast neutron reactors are considered the main technology in the future for nuclear power in China.
A larger commercial-scale reactor, the CFR-1000, is also planned.[2]
On the same site, the building of a second 600 MW fast reactor CFR-600 was started in December 2020[3] and four 1000 MW CAP1000 are proposed.[4]
Controversy
AlJazeera reported in 2021 that the reactors are controversial because they will produce weapons-grade plutonium, so likely have a dual military and civilian use, and China has stopped annual voluntary declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] on its stocks of plutonium.[5]
See also
- Nuclear power in China
- BN-600 reactor
- BN-1200 reactor
- Integral fast reactor
- List of nuclear reactors#China
References
- ^ a b "CFR-600 (China Institute of Atomic Energy, China)" (PDF). IAEA. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d "China begins building pilot fast reactor". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "China starts building second CFR-600 fast reactor". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ CCCC-FHDI wins bid for quot;feasibility study of offshore engineering of 600MW fast reactor nuclear power demonstration project in Xiapu, 12.03.2015. (Archived Version on archive.is).
- ^ "Concerns grow over China nuclear reactors shrouded in mystery".