CFR-600

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. These reactors are expected to be connected to the grid in 2023 and 2025.[3] 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.

China Fast Reactor 600 (CFR-600)
GenerationGeneration IV
Reactor conceptFast breeder reactor
StatusUnder construction
LocationXiapu County, Fujian province, China
Coordinates26°48′13″N 120°09′18″E
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material)UO2 (initial stage)
MOX (later stage)
Neutron energy spectrumFast
Primary coolantLiquid sodium
Reactor usage
Power (thermal)1500 MWth
Power (electric)600 MWe gross

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[4] and four 1000 MW CAP1000 are proposed.[5]

There are concerns from the West that these breeder reactors will be used to produce weapon grade plutonium for nuclear weapon manufacturing purposes.[6]

Reactors
Unit Type Net capacity Gross capacity Thermal capacity Construction Start Operation Start Notes
XIAPU-1 FBR 642 MWe 682 MWe 1882 MWt 2017-12-29 2023[7] [8]
XIAPU-2 FBR 642 MWe 682 MWe 1882 MWt 2020-12-27 2025[9] [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.[10]

See also

References
  1. "CFR-600 (China Institute of Atomic Energy, China)" (PDF). IAEA. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. "China begins building pilot fast reactor". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  3. "China's New Breeder Reactors May Produce More Than Just Watts - IEEE Spectrum".
  4. "China starts building second CFR-600 fast reactor". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. 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).
  6. "China's New Breeder Reactors May Produce More Than Just Watts - IEEE Spectrum".
  7. "China's New Breeder Reactors May Produce More Than Just Watts - IEEE Spectrum".
  8. "PRIS - Reactor Details". pris.iaea.org. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  9. "China's New Breeder Reactors May Produce More Than Just Watts - IEEE Spectrum".
  10. "Concerns grow over China nuclear reactors shrouded in mystery".
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