China’s high-temperature gas-cooled (HTR) demonstration reactor reached a critical state on Sept. 12. Criticality is the first step toward the goal of grid-connected power generation this year.
The pebble-bed reactor project is one of the country’s 16 major science projects, including lunar exploration and the BeiDou navigation system, in the National Medium and Long-Term Science and Technology Development Plan Outline (2006-2020). It is also slated as an important element for export in China’s “going out” strategy. This is the fourth-generation nuclear reactor with broad commercial applications, including power production and a number of heat applications. It will also reduce nuclear waste and make fuller use of uranium resources.
