https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/thorium.aspx
https://interestingengineering.com/norwegian-thorium-molten-salt-reactor
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Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can be found in soil, sand and primarily in Monazite. Thorium is more commonly found on Earth than Uranium, making it easier to mine and refine for use in reactors. Molten salt and other nuclear reactor builds can work using Thorium, and Thorium itself can be used with recycled/reclaimed nuclear fuel and waste to produce energy. The future of nuclear energy may involve heavy use of Thorium power sources.
Thorium itself is not a fissile nuclear fuel. It needs to be put into a reactor with neutron emissions. When Thorium-232 absorbs a neutron into its nucleus, it becomes Uranium-233, which is a fissile material. Thorium can be used in a breeder reactor under engineered circumstances to produce more nuclear fuel than is consumed. Thorium can also be matrixed with Plutonium to create fuel mixes with various power-generating efficiencies.
Thorium can be used with recycled plutonium fuel. Thorium-232 needs an additional neutron in its nucleus to become fissile, and can gain this from high-level plutonium waste from other nuclear reactors. Fuel rods typically degrade after 5-years of usage, and recycling nuclear waste in a Thorium reactor is a good use of this persistent and dangerous material. Thorium reactors of various design have been successful in the USA and beyond. Most such Thorium reactors ran for several years and were shut down due to technical problems.
Recently, an exciting development in Thorium reactor technology implementation was created in Norway. Ulstein, a vessel manufacturer in Norway created a prototype of a Thorium molten-salt reactor powered ship and is working to make this design a reality. This could be a massive step forward for green-energy shipping technology, as marine fuels contribute to pollution and release greenhouse gasses. Thorium is added to salts containing Chlorine and Fluoride and a chemical loop generates heat and energy that can power an engine. Such applications can be used and adapted to further establish green energy using Thorium. A Thorium nuclear reactor can also use nuclear waste as a fuel and build the brand of nuclear energy as a green and safe source of energy.
Thorium is a more abundant material than Uranium, can be used with recycled nuclear fuel and can be combined with Plutonium to create mixed fuels. Thorium reactors can bridge the gap between current nuclear technologies and the future. Molten-salt reactors hold promise for a green-energy future. I’ll be sure to keep watching this evolving technology.
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