The status of fast reactor and its fuel cycle consideration in China

Based on the overseas and domestic experiences on nuclear application, it has been started in China to develop nuclear power plants as a subsidiary role in the regions which are lack of electricity and energy resources. Thermal Reactor-Fast Reactor-Fusion Reactor has been decided as a basic way in China to develop and utilize nuclear energy. According to the strategy study on the fast reactor development in China, the fast reactor engineering development will be divided three steps: 1) China Experimental Fast Reactor ( CEFR ) with a power 65MWth/20MWe. 2) China Prototype Fast Reactor ( CPFR ) with a power 1500MWth/600MWe. 3) China Demonstration Fast Reactor ( CDFR ) with a power 3750-2500MWth /1500-1000MWe The first step CEFR is executed under the framework of the National High-Tech Program, which is under construction and the first criticality is envisaged in 2008. The CPFR is proposed to the Government as the important project in the 2006-2020 fifteen years program with the target to complete its construction in 2020. In order to shorter the development period from CEFR to CDFR, the main technical selections have maximum continuity for these reactors. (author)