New nuclear power reactor is scheduled to start operation

    The reactor pressure vessel of 10MW High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor was installed successfully at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology of Tsinghua University recently. It is the country's first self-designed gas-cooled reactor, which demonstrates that China will soon have a new, safe and clean nuclear power generating system.

    The reactor, located in Changping district, which is 40 kilometers north to the heart of the capital, has a capacity of 10 megawatts. The reactor is independently designed and constructed by the Institution of Nuclear Energy Technology of the University. As a key project of the State's High-tech research and development plan, construction of it began in 1995.

    The reactor is up to 12 percentage points more efficient than ordinary nuclear power stations, according to Zhong Daxin, a professor at the institute.

    In addition to generating electricity, the new reactor can also liquefy coal and turn it into gas to raise its efficiency. The station is expected to fuel the development of the steel, petroleum and chemical industries, said Zhong.

    Because of its cooling system, the reactor will not cause any damage to the public and environment as did the Chernobyl nuclear plant, Zhong claimed.

    The high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor, which is like an "atom-fueled boiler," has been praised for its safety by top international nuclear scientists.

    The completion of the reactor indicates China has reached an advanced level in this field, following the lead of the United States, Germany and Japan, said Zhong.