The China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) has entered the final stage of installation and trial runs, and is set to be connected to the grid and start generating electricity in 2010, according to news released during a meeting marking the 50th anniversary of China's first heavy water reactor and first cyclotron hosted by the China Institute of Atomic Energy on December 11.
In 2015, a demonstration fast reactor will be built and put into commercial use. The China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR) has completed construction of all its sub-projects and started a trial run of all its systems and is expected to reach its critical period in the first half of 2009.
The fast reactors, i.e. the fast breeder reactors, can raise the 1% utilization rate of natural uranium resources in pressurized water reactors to between 60% and 70%.
This feature has major strategic significance regarding issues such as making the best use of uranium resources, maintaining a sustainable and stable development of nuclear power and solving future energy supply problems.
The soon to be completed CARR is an advanced reactor that will replace the heavy water reactor. It will be able to meet China's demands for future nuclear technologies in the 21st century.
By People's Daily Online
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