In a report from the LiveScience website, China has outlined plans to build the world’s first ‘clean’ commercial nuclear reactor using dilute thorium and dilute salt.
The first prototype reactor is targeted for completion in August with the first testing in September. For commercial reactors ready to operate by 2030. What differentiates these nuclear reactors is that instead of using uranium, they will use thorium. What is the difference?
Conventional uranium reactors produce waste that remains highly radioactive for up to 10,000 years so these reactors require extensive lead containers and safety.
Reactor residues also include plutonium-239, an important isotope for nuclear weapons. This waste is also at risk of shedding dramatic levels of radiation in the event of a leak, as seen at Chernobyl. Waste also requires a large amount of water.
For thorium reactors, its main element is dissolved into fluoride salts, which mostly produce uranium-233 that can be recycled through other reactions. The remaining ingredients in the reaction have a lifespan of ‘only’ 500 years, although it takes a long time but this is much safer.
If there is a leak, the melted salt is cooled enough to effectively cover the thorium and prevent significant leakage. This technology does not require water and is not easily used to produce nuclear weapons.
Reactors can be built in locations such as in the desert, away from most cities. Reactors can also be built without raising concerns that it will replenish the stockpile of nuclear weapons.
China reportedly chose Wuwei, a desert city in Gansu Province, to help its first commercial reactor. Officials also see this as a way to spur China’s international expansion.
China plans up to 30 countries to participate in the company’s investment initiatives in the Belt and Road. Theoretically, China could expand its political influence without contributing to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
This is likely to worry the United States and other political rivals behind thorium. The US -based Sodium Reactor, for example, is still under development.
However, this could still help fight climate change and meet China's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2060. In addition, thorium reactors could help China release coal energy quickly. Especially small -scale reactors that can be built in a shorter period of time.
China has a carbon neutral target of 2060. Currently, China is still heavily dependent on coal energy, and there is no guarantee that renewable resources will meet their own demand.
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