China achieves thorium-uranium conversion

Breakthrough in Molten-Salt Reactor Technology

The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has announced the successful completion of the first thorium-to-uranium nuclear fuel conversion in its experimental Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR).

Details of the Experiment

Located in Wuwei City, Gansu Province, the 2 MW TMSR is currently the world's only operational molten-salt reactor using thorium fuel. The SINAP team confirmed the technical feasibility of thorium utilisation after obtaining verified experimental data from thorium fuel loading.

Significance of the Achievement

This breakthrough represents a major milestone in the development of molten-salt reactor technology. It strengthens the technical foundation for large-scale thorium resource use and advances the development of next-generation nuclear systems.

“Featuring thorium-uranium conversion, it is the first time in the world that thorium was added to a molten-salt reactor, demonstrating the feasibility of our thorium resources utilisation. It is also a unique thorium-uranium cycle research platform in the world, laying a solid foundation for the construction of demonstration reactors and relevant commercial development in the future,” said SINAP Director Dai Zhimin.

Research Collaboration and Future Outlook

The TMSR project, developed by SINAP in cooperation with several Chinese institutions, provides a crucial research platform for continued innovation in clean nuclear energy technologies.

Author’s summary: China’s thorium-to-uranium breakthrough proves molten-salt reactors can effectively harness thorium resources, setting the stage for future commercial and scientific advances in nuclear power.

Nuclear Engineering International — 2025-11-10