CFR-600
The CFR-600 (Xiapu fast reactor pilot project) is a sodium-cooled pool-type fast-neutron nuclear reactor under construction in Xiapu County, Fujian province, China, on Changbiao Island. It is a generation IV demonstration project by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Construction started in late 2017. These reactors are expected to be connected to the grid in 2023 and 2025. The reactor will have an output of 1500 MW thermal power and 600 MW electric power. The fuel will be supplied by TVEL, subsidiary of Rosatom, according to the agreement signed in 2019.
| China Fast Reactor 600 (CFR-600) | |
|---|---|
| Generation | Generation IV |
| Reactor concept | Fast breeder reactor |
| Status | Under construction |
| Location | Xiapu County, Fujian province, China |
| Coordinates | 26°48′13″N 120°09′18″E |
| Main parameters of the reactor core | |
| Fuel (fissile material) | UO2 (initial stage) MOX (later stage) |
| Neutron energy spectrum | Fast |
| Primary coolant | Liquid 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 the main future nuclear power technology in China.
A larger commercial-scale reactor, the CFR-1000, is also planned.
On the same site, the building of a second 600 MW fast reactor CFR-600 was started in December 2020 and four 1000 MW CAP1000 are proposed.
Such breeder reactors have the possibility to be used to produce weapons grade plutonium for nuclear weapon manufacturing purposes.