A groundbreaking thorium-powered nuclear reactor has been successfully operated in China, marking a significant breakthrough for the global energy landscape and offering a safer alternative to uranium-based systems.
China Fires Up World’s First Thorium-Powered Nuclear Reactor
Months after satellites picked up a massive nuclear fusion facility in China‘s Sichuan province, the country’s nuclear industry has blown the lid off fission tech. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently revealed the successful operation of a thorium-powered nuclear reactor located in the Gobi Desert.
Thorium-powered nuclear reactors offer several advantages over traditional uranium-fueled reactors.
They produce less radioactive waste, with a 99% reduction in long-lived actinides.
Thorium also has a higher energy density than uranium, resulting in more efficient energy production.
Additionally, thorium reactors can operate at lower temperatures and pressures, reducing the risk of accidents.
The use of liquid fuel in thorium reactors also simplifies cooling systems and increases safety.
According to the World Nuclear Association, thorium could provide 250 times more energy per kilogram than uranium.
The team had achieved ‘full-power operation’ last June, according to South China Morning Post, and recently succeeded in reloading the reactor while it was powered up—a world first. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for nuclear power, as thorium offers a more accessible but less weaponizable alternative to uranium.
Thorium is a radioactive metal with potential as a sustainable nuclear fuel.
It has a higher energy density than Uranium and produces less waste.
Thorium-232 undergoes a series of neutron-induced reactions, resulting in the production of U-233.
This process has been studied for its potential to reduce nuclear waste and improve reactor efficiency.
The Advantages of Thorium-Powered Reactors
Thorium-based power reactor fuels would be a poor source for fissile material usable in the illicit manufacture of an explosive device, according to the World Nuclear Association. This makes thorium-powered reactors a safer option compared to uranium-based systems. Additionally, molten salt reactors (MSRs) theoretically carry far less risk in the event of a meltdown, as salts can carry greater loads of thermal energy at much lower pressure.
Thorium-powered reactors offer several benefits over traditional uranium-fueled reactors.
They have a lower risk of nuclear proliferation, as thorium cannot be easily converted into weapons-grade material.
Additionally, thorium fuel is more abundant and has a higher energy density than uranium.
Thorium reactors also produce less long-lived radioactive waste and can operate at a higher temperature, increasing efficiency.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), thorium-based nuclear power could provide 1,000 GW of electricity globally by 2050.
How Molten Salt Reactors Work
In fact, a ‘meltdown’ is basically a non-factor for these systems—the fuel is already molten. This design allows for a more efficient and safer cooling system. A report sponsored by the US government on MSRs notes that the fuel is subject to freezing when it reaches a certain temperature, which disperses it and increases its cooling geometry.
The History of Molten Salt Reactors
MSRs are not new; they had their day in the US back in the late 1940s and early 50s. American cold warriors dumped nearly $1 billion into developing a nuclear-powered stealth bomber. However, research on thorium-fueled airplanes was halted in 1961 due to its military potential. The US left its MSR research publicly available, waiting for the right successor.
‘The US left its research publicly available, waiting for the right successor,’ said the project’s chief scientist Xu Hongjie. ‘Rabbits sometimes make mistakes or grow lazy. That’s when the tortoise seizes its chance.’ This statement highlights the importance of perseverance and innovation in scientific research.
- futurism.com | China Fires Up Worlds First Thorium Powered Nuclear Reactor
