Thorium - A new nuclear world order

Nuclear energy currently supplies approximately 15 per cent of worldwide energy and is expected to play a critical role in meeting rising energy needs across Asia.  The outlook for nuclear power around the world has been brightened with progressive improvement in the operating performance of existing reactors.  At the end of 2002, over 441 nuclear power plants were in operation worldwide, producing 358 GW (e).  It is expected that by 2025 the total installed nuclear power capacity would be some 438 GW (e).

The first three prototype nuclear plants in the world were commissioned in the Russian Federation, UK, and the USA in the mid 1950's and by the mid-1980s, nuclear power had matured with a track record of success.  Following the Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, heightened anti-nuclear sentiments dramatically slowed the growth in nuclear power; however, interest in nuclear power has started to improve since 1990.  Concerns about global warming and limiting CO2 emissions suggest that nuclear options may be required to reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

Current nuclear technology is based upon the uranium (233U) fuel cycle which is built upon the "once-through" principal.  Essentially, Uranium is mined, processed into fuel rods, used within a power reactor, and disposed of.  This method is favored by the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and South Africa.  However, the mains concerns associated with this process are the production of fissile material which can be used for nuclear proliferation purposes and the risk of nuclear meltdown.

The annual worldwide requirement of uranium is expected to grow from the present level of some 73,000 tonnes per annum to nearly 98,000 tonnes per annum by year 2025.  At the end of 2009, world uranium production provided about 59% of world reactor requirements, with the remainder being met by secondary sources including civilian and military stockpiles, uranium reprocessing, and re-enrichment of depleted uranium.  However, by 2025, secondary sources will provide only 4-6% of requirements depending upon demand projections. At this juncture, introduction of the thorium fuel cycle will play a complementary role.

Thorium differs to uranium, which contains ~0.7% fissile material, as natural thorium only contains trace amounts of fissile material and as such, is insufficient to initiate a nuclear chain reaction.  Thus, some fissile material, usually 235U or 239Pu, must be supplied to initiate the fuel cycle, consequently, thorium fuels and fuel cycles are particularly relevant to countries having large thorium deposits but limited uranium reserves.

Thorium is widely distributed and in general, occurs in association with uranium and rare earth elements (REEs).  The mining and extraction of thorium is relatively easy and significantly differs from that of uranium and its ores.  The overburden during mining is much smaller than in the case of uranium and "the total radioactive waste production in mining operations is about 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of uranium." – IAEA

One of the prime advantages of the use of thorium is in the use of a subcritical nuclear reactor.  Essentially, the nuclear reactor will remain operational as long as the neutrons from an external source are injected into the reactor.  As the external source of neutrons can simply be removed from the thorium core, such a reactor cannot "meltdown."  A further advantage of this technology is that virtually all natural thorium is useable in a reactor compared to just 0.7% of natural uranium, thereby significantly reducing nuclear waste.

Successful use of thorium is currently underway in a number of Indian nuclear power reactors, producing in excess of 450MWt of power while Nobel laureate Carlo Rubbia of the European Organization for Nuclear Research says that "one tonne of thorium produces as much energy as 200 tonnes of uranium, or, 3,500,000 tonnes of coal."

These types of numbers provide ample reasons why the world needs to look at thorium as a suitable alternative to fossil fuels.  Thorium technology is not without risk nor is it without challenges but next generation nuclear reactors need to size up whether or not the introduction of thorium compatible reactors would benefit not only safety but also reduce the ability for nuclear proliferation. Perhaps a new Manhattan project could provide a boost for US science, optimism, and strategic leadership.

Source: www.EquityDissector.com

After the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe in Japan - a lot of people wondered out loud just what the hell the Japanese were doing building nuclear power plants along the coast of an area prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. It's as though they were just asking for this to happen - who could have been so stupid?? Surely - here in the United States we're a lot more careful with where we build OUR nuclear plants right?? Well...no. The Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant just outside Omaha, Nebraska is completely surrounded by water. But I suppose that's what happens when you build a nuclear plant right in the middle of the flood plain of the Missouri River. Flood waters from the rising Missouri River have settled at a foot and a half ABOVE where the plant sits - and the only thing stopping Fort Calhoun from flooding just like Fukushima flooded is a six-foot high rubber wall surrounding the plant. But that's not the only nuclear power plant in danger. Just down the river in southeast Nebraska - the Cooper Nuclear Plant - is also on the verge of flooding out
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