Netherlands-based nuclear power provider, NRG, are taking a gamble. They’re conducting experiments that could see a shift from uranium-based nuclear power to thorium.
There has been the historical battle between using uranium or thorium as a nuclear fuel. Uranium provided a potential source of weapons-grade plutonium.
A significant advantage of using thorium over uranium is it doesn’t produce the same kinds of heavy isotopes, meaning its waste is considerably less toxic over long time scales and not suitable for weapons. And there are other benefits.
With all of these pros, it seems like switching from uranium would be a certain bet.
For nations like China, a growing nuclear power industry could see thorium as a sweeter deal. India is another country already marching ahead.
6 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://tieku.fi/teknologia/energia/ydinvoima/radioaktiivinen-ihmeaine-tuottaa-tehokkaasti-energiaa
Tomi Engdahl says:
Could China’s molten salt nuclear reactor be a clean, safe source of power?https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3141581/could-chinas-molten-salt-nuclear-reactor-be-clean-safe-source
The thorium-powered reactors do not need water as a coolant, meaning they can be built in remote deserts alongside wind and solar power plants
The technology should be safer than uranium-powered reactors and may also dispel some of China’s worries about energy security
The molten salt reactor, which is powered by liquid thorium rather than uranium, should also be safer than traditional ones because in the event of a leak, the molten thorium would cool and solidify quickly, dispersing less radiation into the environment.
Tomi Engdahl says:
China Says It’s Closing in on Thorium Nuclear Reactor With prototype reportedly firing up in September, country teases commercial thorium power by 2030
https://spectrum.ieee.org/china-closing-in-on-thorium-nuclear-reactor
Tomi Engdahl says:
Experimental reactor could hand China the holy grail of nuclear energy
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/experimental-reactor-could-hand-china-the-holy-grail-of-nuclear-energy-tcsqxwp3m
China is due to fire up an experimental nuclear reactor this month that could revolutionise the atomic energy industry.
The reactor is fuelled by thorium, a weakly radioactive element, instead of uranium. If successful it could deliver safer and cheaper nuclear energy, helping the country to reduce its carbon footprint. It will use molten salt rather than water as the coolant and its by-products are less suitable for weaponisation
Tomi Engdahl says:
China prepares to test thorium-fuelled nuclear reactor
If China’s experimental reactor is a success it could lead to commercialization and help the nation meet its climate goals.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02459-w
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