China has achieved a key breakthrough in developing fast reactors with the success of the first controlled sodium-water reaction tests simulating the incidental scenario of tube failure in a steam generator on Oct 31 at the China Institute of Atomic Energy, also known as CIAE, under the China National Nuclear Corporation, according to reports.

Scientists say that sodium-cooled fast-breeder reactors are one of several new designs that could succeed the pressurized water reactors that drive most of the world's nuclear plants.

Officials said that the achievement marked a turning point where this kind of technology in China has entered the world's advanced levels.

Sodium-water reaction is one of the core technologies for sodium safety design in sodium cooled fast-breeder reactor.

With the completion and operation of the China Experimental Fast Reactor, the China Institute of Atomic Energy initiated researches and tests on the safety analysis and design techniques of sodium-water reaction.

The latest successful test was conducted after two years of technical and equipment preparations by the team in charge.

Officials said that not only was it the first such test in China, but the data also fully met expectations, providing the technical basis and valuable practical experience for larger-scale sodium-water reaction tests to follow.

They said the test provided valuable experimental data for the design of the sodium-water accident protection system for the fast reactor steam generators.