Thorium-based nuclear power - Wikipedia
Thorium-based nuclear power generation is fueled primarily by the nuclear fission of the isotope uranium-233 produced from the fertile element thorium.
Thorium’s Long-Term Potential in Nuclear Energy: New IAEA …
Mar 13, 2023 · Thorium boasts several advantages over the conventional nuclear fuel, uranium-235. Thorium can generate more fissile material (uranium-233) than it consumes while fuelling a water-cooled or molten-salt reactor.
Thorium fuel cycle - Wikipedia
The thorium fuel cycle is a nuclear fuel cycle that uses an isotope of thorium, 232 Th, as the fertile material. In the reactor, 232Th is transmuted into the fissile artificial uranium isotope 233 U which is the nuclear fuel.
Thorium is three times more abundant in nature compared to uranium and occurs mainly as ‘fertile’ 232Th isotope. From the inception of nuclear power programme, the immense potential of 232Th for breeding human-made ‘fissile’ isotope 233U efficiently in a thermal neutron reactor has been recognized.
Viability of thorium-based nuclear fuel cycle for the next …
Dec 1, 2018 · Thorium fuel has shown good course and potential in high temperature gas cooled reactors (HTGRs), light water reactors (LWRs), heavy water reactors (HWRs), molten salt reactors (MSRs), and accelerator driven system hybrid reactors (ADSHRs).
Thorium’s Long-Term Potential in Nuclear Energy | IAEA
When irradiated, thorium-232 undergoes a series of nuclear reactions, eventually forming uranium-233, which can then be split to release energy to power a nuclear reactor. Using thorium for energy production is, however, not without challenges.
Could Thorium Power the Next Generation of Nuclear Reactors?
Apr 16, 2024 · Thorium is a potential alternative to uranium for nuclear energy production. Molten salt reactors utilize thorium more efficiently than traditional reactors. Despite its promise, thorium still faces technological and regulatory hurdles before widespread adoption.
The Thorium Fuel Cycle: Past Achievements and Future Prospects
Apr 5, 2016 · Therefore, a fissile material (U-235, U-233 or plutonium) must be added to thorium to make a fuel for a nuclear reactor. In this case only, the thorium material can generate U-233, which, like plutonium, can be “burned” in situ or recycled. This is what is called the thorium cycle.
China prepares to test thorium-fuelled nuclear reactor - Nature
Sep 9, 2021 · Scientists are excited about an experimental nuclear reactor using thorium as fuel, which is about to begin tests in China.
Role of Thorium to Supplement Fuel Cycles of Future Nuclear …
The current publication reports on the sustainability of nuclear power by re-examining the potential of thorium based fuel cycles to support future large scale deployment of nuclear energy systems by increasing the availability of nuclear material.