Application target image of a small modular fluoride salt-cooled high temperature reactor based on the analysis of energy demand and environmental conditions in western China.

To meet the energy demand in remote areas of western China, a small modular fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor will be deployed there. The design of this reactor needs an application target image, including the power, lifetime, size, weight, and environmental restrictions. This paper analyzes the energy demand in northwest China to find the possible application scenarios and regions of this reactor. Then according to typical application scenarios, the power requirements of the reactor and the environment and transportation (size and weight) restrictions that need to be adapted can be obtained. The application target image of this reactor would be: a) the single unit capacity of 50MWe; b) the lifetime of at least 60 years; c) the length of less than 15.5 m, the diameter of less than 3.88 m, and weight of less than 60 tons; d) the adaptability to the severe climate and environment in the west, such as cold winter, deep-frozen soil layer, strong wind, arid environment, and complex terrain; e) the site selection to avoid geological disasters, such as landslides, collapses, torrents, mudslides, and ground fissures.