Core Viewpoint - The successful construction and operation of China's thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor marks a significant advancement in utilizing thorium resources, laying a scientific foundation for future large-scale applications of thorium fuel [1][3]. Group 1: Reactor Development - The thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor is China's independently developed fourth-generation advanced fission nuclear energy system and is currently the only molten salt reactor in the world that has achieved thorium fuel operation [3]. - The reactor uses thorium as nuclear fuel and liquid fluoride salt as a coolant, offering advantages such as safety, no water cooling, operation at atmospheric pressure, and high-temperature output [3]. - Since the project's initiation in 2011, the research team has overcome key technologies related to materials, instruments, equipment development, and system integration [3]. - The reactor features an innovative integrated design that combines the core, fuel salt pump, heat exchanger, and other key components within the main reactor vessel, significantly reducing the risk of radioactive leakage and enhancing safety [3]. - The overall domestic production rate of the reactor exceeds 90%, with 100% of key core equipment being domestically produced, ensuring a controllable supply chain [3]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - The thorium-based molten salt reactor represents a clean and efficient energy system that can integrate with high-temperature molten salt energy storage, high-temperature hydrogen production, solar energy, wind energy, and coal gasification, forming a low-carbon complementary energy system and low-carbon chemical framework [5]. - China's abundant thorium resources and the establishment of thorium-based molten salt reactors can promote national energy independence, providing significant support for the country's energy security and sustainable development [5].

从2011年项目立项以来，科研团队突破和掌握了材料、仪器、设备研发和系统集成等相关核心技术。其 中，实验堆采取了创新的一体式堆本体设计，将堆芯、燃料盐泵、换热器等核心设备集成在反应堆主容 器内，显著降低了放射性泄漏风险，提高了反应堆的安全性。目前，这座钍基熔盐实验堆已实现了整体 国产化率大于90%，关键核心设备100%国产化，供应链自主可控。 钍基熔盐堆是一种清洁高效的能源系统，与高温熔盐储能、高温制氢、太阳能、风能、煤气油化工相结 合能够形成多能互补、低碳复合的能源系统和低碳化工体系。我国钍资源极其丰富，建设钍基熔盐堆、 实现钍资源的工业应用，可以推动国家在战略上实现能源独立，为我国国家能源安全与可持续发展提供 重要支撑。 （文章来源：央视新闻） 中国科学院今天（11月1日）发布消息，近期位于甘肃省武威市民勤县的钍基熔盐实验堆建成并首次实 现堆内钍铀转化，初步证明了利用钍资源的技术可行性，为后续规模化利用钍燃料奠定了重要科学基 础。 这座实验堆是我国自主研发、设计和建设的第四代先进裂变核能系统，也是目前国际上唯一运行并实现 钍燃料入堆的熔盐堆。钍基熔盐实验堆以钍作为核燃料、以液态氟化物熔盐作为冷却剂，具有安 ...