China*Concentrated centrifuge technology autonomy

Most nuclear power plants require low-enriched uranium fuel, of which uranium-235 is about 2%-5%. In natural uranium, the content of uranium-235 is only 0.7%, and the rest is uranium-238. Therefore, increasing the content of uranium-235 is an important part of the development of nuclear power.

“The process of increasing the uranium-235 content is called uranium enrichment. The electromagnetic method, thermal diffusion method, and gas diffusion method have been eliminated. The laser method is still in the laboratory stage. At present, uranium enrichment mainly uses gas centrifugation.” China National Nuclear Corporation Chief Engineer Lei Zengguang said that uranium enrichment centrifuge technology utilizes a strong centrifugal force field in a high-speed rotary centrifuge to separate uranium-235 and uranium-238.

"The power consumption required by this technology is about 1/25 of the diffusion method, and the overall cost is reduced by about half." Lei Zengguang admitted that the industrialization of centrifuges is a highly demanding and technically difficult multi-disciplinary and sophisticated technology. technology.

Through the development and industrial application of centrifuges, CNNC has formed a complete and systematic R&D and industrial system, created a talented team with good political quality and high business level, and possesses independent research and development of various centrifuges for scientific research and industry. The ability to turn for the next step has laid a good foundation for technology and talent.

“The centrifuge manufacturing capacity that China has already formed can fully guarantee and meet the needs of the subsequent development of nuclear power.” Lei Zengguang disclosed that CNNC is developing a new generation of more advanced and more economical centrifuges and achieved research on key technologies. Important progress.

In addition to the major scientific and technological innovations in the industrialization of uranium enrichment centrifuges, CNNC has continuously improved its scientific and technological innovation capabilities in recent years, and has completely broken through a number of key issues in natural uranium production, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear power, and nuclear technology applications. Technology has reached the leading or advanced level in the world and its core competitiveness has been significantly improved.