China's new heat removal method makes nuclear reactor meltdown-proof

Chinese scientists from the China Institute of Atomic Energy have developed and successfully tested a new Residual Heat Removal (RHR) system designed to enhance the safety of next-generation nuclear reactors by preventing meltdowns. This passive heat removal technology is integrated into integral fast reactors (IFRs), which use liquid sodium as a coolant and operate with a fast neutron spectrum. The system maintains the reactor core in a safe, cool state without relying on active mechanical components, representing a significant safety breakthrough for fourth-generation nuclear plants featuring closed fuel cycles. Integral fast reactors recycle spent nuclear fuel on-site, converting unused uranium into plutonium and enabling up to 100 times more energy extraction compared to conventional water-cooled reactors. This closed-loop approach also reduces nuclear waste by approximately 90%, as continuous recycling minimizes long-lived radioactive materials. The new RHR system was validated through an experimental simulation facility that replicates reactor conditions, confirming its effectiveness in passive heat removal. China’s CFR-600 and the upcoming CFR-1000 fast