China's first fast reactor successfully achieved grid-connected power generation

China’s first experimental fast reactor, which caused a fission reaction by fast neutrons, successfully achieved grid-connected power generation at 10:00 on the 21st. The comprehensive realization of the major national project of the “863” Plan marked a major breakthrough in the fast reactor technology that has been included in the state-of-the-art technology development plan for medium and long-term science and technology. This also marks an important step in China’s occupation of nuclear technology and the establishment of a sustainable advanced nuclear energy system.

The China Experimental Fast Reactor is the first step in the development of fast breeder reactors (FAST reactors) in China. The reactor adopts an advanced pool structure with nuclear thermal power of 65 megawatts and experimental power of 20 megawatts. It is one of the few high-power experimental power reactors with power generation capabilities in the world. Its main system settings and parameter selection are The same is true for large fast reactors. Experimental fast reactors make full use of inherent safety and adopt a variety of passive safety technologies, and safety has reached the requirements of the fourth generation of nuclear energy systems.

“Fast neutron reactor is the main reactor type of the fourth-generation advanced nuclear energy system in the world and represents the development direction of the fourth-generation nuclear energy system.” Chief Expert of the China Experimental Fast Reactor said that the advanced nuclear fuel cycle system based on fast reactors has a Two major advantages: First, it can substantially increase the utilization rate of resources and increase the utilization rate of natural resources from about 1% of the currently used pressurized water reactors in nuclear power plants to over 60%; Long-lived radioactive waste produced by water reactors, minimizing radioactive waste. The development and promotion of fast reactor technology is of great significance to promoting the sustainable development of nuclear power in China and the establishment of an advanced fuel cycle system.

According to reports, in the research and development process of experimental fast reactors for more than 20 years, China has fully mastered the fast reactor technology, has obtained a large number of independent innovation achievements and patents, and has achieved independent research, independent design, independent construction, and autonomy of experimental fast reactors. Operation and self-management, formed a complete research and development capabilities, and trained a number of outstanding technical personnel. On this basis, China National Nuclear Corporation has already begun research and development of a million kilowatt commercial fast reactor technology.

The China Experimental Fast Reactor Project is headed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Defense Industry and Technology Bureau, organized by the China National Nuclear Corporation, and implemented by the China Institute of Atomic Energy. Over the years, the IAEA has organized hundreds of domestic universities, research institutes, and companies, and vigorously carried out international cooperation. After many years of continuous innovation and exploration and collaboration, it has completed research, design, construction, and commissioning. May 2009 Started the system hot commissioning and achieved the first nuclear criticality on July 21, 2010.