够中国用2万年！中国突破“无限能源”，将开建全球首座钍熔盐推

Core Viewpoint - China is set to build the world's first thorium molten salt reactor, marking a significant breakthrough in energy technology that could reshape the global energy landscape and provide a sustainable energy solution for humanity [1][10]. Group 1: Thorium Resource and Advantages - Thorium is a radioactive metal with a natural abundance approximately 3 to 4 times that of uranium, with China's proven thorium reserves sufficient to meet national energy needs for over a thousand years [3]. - The theoretical thorium reserves in China could last for 20,000 years, making it a potential source of "infinite energy" [3]. - Compared to traditional nuclear energy using uranium, thorium has several advantages, including easier purification, no need for seawater cooling, and significantly improved safety [3]. - One ton of thorium can generate the same amount of energy as 200 tons of uranium, with a fuel utilization rate exceeding 98%, which greatly reduces the accumulation of radioactive waste [3]. Group 2: Research and Development Progress - China's research on thorium molten salt reactor technology has a long history, dating back to the 1970s when the Shanghai 728 project built a zero-power thorium molten salt reactor [5]. - In 2011, the Chinese Academy of Sciences prioritized thorium molten salt reactor technology as a key strategic technology, leading to significant advancements in overcoming technical challenges [7]. - A major challenge was addressing the high-temperature corrosion of molten salt, which was resolved through the development of specialized nickel-based alloy materials [7]. Group 3: Recent Achievements and Future Plans - In 2023, a 2 MW thorium molten salt experimental reactor in Gansu Wuwei began operation, successfully testing high-temperature, radiation, and chemical corrosion-resistant materials [8]. - The experimental reactor is set to complete the world's first thorium molten salt reactor experiment in 2024, achieving stable operation at full power for over 1,000 hours [8]. - The planned thorium molten salt reactor power plant will have a thermal power of 60 MW, with 10 MW dedicated to electricity generation and the remainder used for producing "green hydrogen" [10]. - Starting in 2030, China plans to construct commercial thorium molten salt reactors with capacities exceeding 100 MW to provide low-cost, low-carbon, and stable electricity for industrial production [10].