China's first high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor was
connected to the electricity grid and started operation in Beijing
Tuesday.
The nuclear reactor, located 40 km from downtown Beijing, China's
capital city, marked another step forward in China's utilization of
the latest nuclear technology for civilian purpose, said Professor
Wu Zongxin of the Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology under the
Tsinghua University.
China is the fifth country to have this technology, following the
United States, Britain, Germany and Japan, according to Wu, who is
in charge of the development program.
"The civilian use of nuclear power in China has moved into a new
stage," he said.
The new nuclear reactor, with a power generation capacity of 10
megawatts, has passed a two-year trial run.
It
is able to create a temperature three times higher than
conventional nuclear reactors, leading to a high power generating
capacity. Helium is used as its coolant.
The reactor is also able to shut down and cool automatically in an
emergency. "Accidents like the 1986 Chernobyl disaster will by no
means happen with the new type of nuclear reactor," Wu said.
The research and development of the reactor, with a total
investment of 250 million yuan, is a key project under the High and
New Technology Research and Development Program (Program 863) of
the Chinese government.
It
has passed through 100 security-related tests, including an
environmental impact assessment, since it started the trial run in
December 2000.
China had an advantage in developing these kinds of nuclear
reactors as the key equipment of the nuclear reactor was designed
and developed by Chinese scientists, Wu said.
China has had two conventional nuclear power plants in commercial
use so far. Another four conventional nuclear power generators are
being built.
(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2003)