Is Thorium a good alternative?
Thorium is a slightly radioactive metal that is made in rocks and soils, it is a significant replacement for uranium in the nuclear energy sector.
As we continue to remain uncertain of our future supply of uranium, thorium is being seriously considered as an alternative to uranium to provide us with nuclear power at not only a reasonable cost but is also abundantly safe. For example, India has been looking at thorium for years, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Still, much more research and development is required.
Thorium in the works
In 2013, privately owned Norwegian company Thor Energy answered the question for us of whether thorium works for energy production and began to produce power at its Halden …show more content…
There are many other firms from the US, Australia and the Czech Republic who have also been working on this research project.
How thorium energy works
Unlike uranium, thorium can’t split to make a nuclear chain reaction — in scientific terms, it isn’t fissile. However, if it is bombarded by neutrons from a fuel that is fissile, like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, it’s converted to uranium-233. After this process begins, fission of uranium-233 turns thorium into the same nuclear fuel. There are many complications to this process.
Thorium vs. uranium
Thorium is a fascinating alternative to uranium to many. It is both lower in cost and more of it is available than there is uranium, whose price is expected to rise even more. There are other benefits as well. During a thorium-powered nuclear reaction, most of the thorium is consumed, which leads to less waste, most of which is declared non-hazardous in 30 years. The most dangerous nuclear waste material currently in use must be stored for 10,000 years. Furthermore, 1 metric ton of thorium is equal to 250 metric tons in terms of efficiency in a water
Thorium is a slightly radioactive metal that is made in rocks and soils, it is a significant replacement for uranium in the nuclear energy sector.
As we continue to remain uncertain of our future supply of uranium, thorium is being seriously considered as an alternative to uranium to provide us with nuclear power at not only a reasonable cost but is also abundantly safe. For example, India has been looking at thorium for years, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Still, much more research and development is required.
Thorium in the works
In 2013, privately owned Norwegian company Thor Energy answered the question for us of whether thorium works for energy production and began to produce power at its Halden …show more content…
There are many other firms from the US, Australia and the Czech Republic who have also been working on this research project.
How thorium energy works
Unlike uranium, thorium can’t split to make a nuclear chain reaction — in scientific terms, it isn’t fissile. However, if it is bombarded by neutrons from a fuel that is fissile, like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, it’s converted to uranium-233. After this process begins, fission of uranium-233 turns thorium into the same nuclear fuel. There are many complications to this process.
Thorium vs. uranium
Thorium is a fascinating alternative to uranium to many. It is both lower in cost and more of it is available than there is uranium, whose price is expected to rise even more. There are other benefits as well. During a thorium-powered nuclear reaction, most of the thorium is consumed, which leads to less waste, most of which is declared non-hazardous in 30 years. The most dangerous nuclear waste material currently in use must be stored for 10,000 years. Furthermore, 1 metric ton of thorium is equal to 250 metric tons in terms of efficiency in a water