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Construction of a thorium reactor to begin in 2024: a historic milestone for sustainable nuclear energy in China!
O Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, will begin construction of a nuclear reactor demonstration of molten thorium salt with ability to 10 MW in 2024.
This project is a significant milestone as the pilot reactor began operations in 2021.
With the success of the pilot project, China prepares to establish a network of thorium reactors.
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This will allow a nation and other countries to become less dependent on fuel from uranium.
Although uranium reserves may only last 500 years, thorium is abundant and can be used for hundreds of years.
Advantages of thorium and rare earth residues
O thorium is not only a sustainable alternative, but is also available in large quantities in mining waste. rare earth metals.
A China is a leader in the processing of these minerals and has already accumulated a significant amount of waste for use. This approach promotes sustainability and helps solve the problem of industrial waste.
Challenges in thorium conversion
One of the challenges when using the thorium is that it does not undergo nuclear fission directly. For this to occur, the thorium-232 must be converted to a suitable isotope of uranium.
During this process, thorium-232 is inserted into a molten salt reactor, transforming into thorium-233. This isotope has a half-life of about 20 minutes, decaying into protactinium-233, which converts to uranium-233.
Future projects and capacity expansion
The pilot project was implemented in Gobi Desert , where a reactor was built 2 MW molten salt.
O SINAP evaluated the project as promising and plans to build a reactor of 60 MW to 2025, with an electrical power of 10 MW.
If the project is successful, the China may expand capacity to up to 100 MW to 2030.
The rebirth of thorium reactors
Before the initiative of China, the only existing history reactor was that of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in the USA, which was closed in 1969.
Interest in molten salt reactors has resurfaced not only in China, but in several nations. Countries like United States, Japan, India and members of European Union are considering these reactors as a safer alternative to traditional nuclear power plants.
Challenges and Concerns
While new technologies are being developed, there are concerns about handling radioactive fuel, which may need to remain outside the reactor for a time.
This raises questions about safety and control of the material. Some proposals aim to ensure that the protactinium remain in the reactor, forming uranium directly in the core.
China at the forefront of nuclear energy
A China declared that the construction of thorium reactors is a viable path and intends to maintain its leadership position in this sector.
While other countries are still in the planning stage, China is moving forward with confidence, establishing itself as a model to be followed.
