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TMSR-LF1 (Thorium Molten Salt Reactor)Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, CAS—SINAP announces first thorium-to-uranium conversion in molten salt reactor

Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, CAS

TMSR-LF1 thorium molten salt reactor, nuclear energy research

CNgovernment~798 staffest. 1959english.sinap.cas.cn (opens english.sinap.cas.cn)Checked 11 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • Operates TMSR-LF1, a 2 MWt experimental thorium molten salt reactor in Wuwei, Gansu.
  • Achieved world's first thorium-to-uranium conversion in a molten salt reactor (Nov 2025).
  • Plans 100 MWt demonstration reactor by 2035 to leverage China's vast thorium reserves.

Technical approach

As reported
Molten salt medium

Liquid salt is both fuel and coolant

Uranium and thorium fluorides dissolve in molten FLiBe; salt carries fuel and transfers heat.

Thorium breeding

Converting thorium to fissile uranium-233

Thorium-232 captures neutrons to become U-233, fissile. Reactor generates new fuel while burning fuel.

Online refueling

No shutdowns needed

Fuel processing continues while the reactor runs, allowing removal of fission products and addition of fresh fuel without shutdown.

Primer