China Achieves Milestone with First Operational Thorium Reactor

China has made a significant advancement in nuclear technology with the successful operation of a thorium molten salt reactor in the Gobi Desert. In April 2023, researchers from the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences introduced fresh fuel into this experimental reactor. Six months later, the team announced a world-first achievement: they converted thorium into uranium within the reactor. This breakthrough confirms the technical feasibility of the thorium fuel cycle, potentially revolutionizing nuclear fission energy by reducing waste and eliminating the need for water cooling.

Thorium is notably more abundant than uranium, with reserves estimated to be three times greater. Its unique properties, including the absence of fissile isotopes, mean that it cannot be enriched for use in nuclear weapons, presenting a safer alternative for energy production. The discoveries made in the Gobi Desert suggest that thorium could power homes in China for thousands of years, bolstering the country’s energy independence.

Significance of the Breakthrough

The successful conversion of thorium-232 to uranium-233 establishes a self-sustaining “burn while breeding” cycle, which enables continuous energy generation through nuclear fission. Dai Zhimin, director of the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, highlighted the advantages of molten salt reactors, stating, “Endowed with inherent safety features, water-free cooling, low-pressure operation and high-temperature output, they are internationally recognized as the most suitable reactor type for thorium resource utilization.”

This development positions China as a leader in next-generation nuclear reactor technology. The institute has plans to complete a 100-megawatt (MW) thermal prototype by 2035, aiming for commercial-scale applications. Dai emphasized that this progress will accelerate technological innovation and provide a reliable, domestically controlled thorium-based energy generation solution.

China’s ambitious project is supported by its capability to produce all essential reactor components domestically, which is a strategic move towards establishing an independent supply chain for thorium molten salt reactor technologies.

Global Context and Future Prospects

According to a 2016 resource estimate by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), China is among the largest holders of thorium reserves. Despite the lack of standardized classifications for thorium compared to uranium, early surveys suggest that China may possess virtually unlimited thorium resources for the next several millennia.

A declassified survey indicated that just five years of mining waste from a single iron ore site in Inner Mongolia contains enough thorium to meet the energy demands of U.S. households for over 1,000 years. This region, particularly the Bayan Obo mining district, could yield up to 1 million tons of thorium, potentially fueling China for 60,000 years.

As the global community watches, China’s advancements in thorium reactor technology may influence future energy strategies worldwide. The implications of this breakthrough extend beyond national borders, potentially redefining the landscape of nuclear energy and its role in sustainable development.