China Builds Accelerator-Driven Nuclear Reactor to Burn Waste and Generate Power
China is developing the world’s first megawatt-scale accelerator-driven reactor (ADS) in Guangdong province, designed to burn nuclear waste while producing energy. The reactor uses protons accelerated to about 80% of the speed of light to generate neutrons that trigger nuclear reactions in a subcritical core, enhancing safety by automatically shutting down if the accelerator stops. This technology can potentially increase uranium use efficiency by 100 times and reduce the lifespan of radioactive waste to 0.1% of current levels. The prototype is expected to launch around 2027, offering a promising solution for sustainable nuclear power and waste management.