Thorium: The New Uranium?
February 26th 2010 04:23
I recently read an article in Wired magazine about an alternative to current nuclear power: Thorium. This common element produces less waste than Uranium and the byproducts aren't refinable into weapons-grade nuclear material. The thing is, Thorium power was proposed in the 70's but the United States wanted to use the Uranium leftovers to create weapons grade plutonium to escalate and maintain supremacy in the Cold War between the United States and the USSR.
Research has continued, however, under private funding by an independent company in Russia since the collapse of Communism. These scientists have proposed a working solution to the impending ecological showdown with current power production. By creating a hybrid Uranium-Thorium reactor, we can reduce the amount of fuel required for the reacotr as well as get more power from it. On the other hand, a full Thorium reactor could create more power on less fuel with no harmful waste. Also there wouldn't need to be a buffer zone since Thorium reactors are self regulating and don't have the chance of meltdown.
Want some more information? Check out Wired.com or google: Thorium power.
Research has continued, however, under private funding by an independent company in Russia since the collapse of Communism. These scientists have proposed a working solution to the impending ecological showdown with current power production. By creating a hybrid Uranium-Thorium reactor, we can reduce the amount of fuel required for the reacotr as well as get more power from it. On the other hand, a full Thorium reactor could create more power on less fuel with no harmful waste. Also there wouldn't need to be a buffer zone since Thorium reactors are self regulating and don't have the chance of meltdown.
Want some more information? Check out Wired.com or google: Thorium power.
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