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Safe Nuclear

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Thorium based nuclear reactors offer a clean and safe alternative energy source while protecting against proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The safe solution to nuclear After Japan’s recent nuclear disaster, the amount of uneasiness regarding nuclear has gone up quite a bit. But there’s something that people have to remember about the Fukushima reactors; they were forty year old reactors built on old technology. Gen IV Thorium Nuclear Reactors Gen IV reactors such as MCR (Molten Core Reactors) have been tested to be far safer than current reactor technology. Unfortunately these reactors have been overlooked as a possible alternative to current designs, possible due to the higher cost at the time. Thorium when used with an MCR design creates an extremely safe situation. It requires energy input to maintain reaction, so it has no ability to melt down. Here are the primary benefits of Thorium. Zero ability to melt down Does not produce weapons grade nuclear waste Can be used to destroy current weapons grade nuclear waste and reduce the amount of total nuclear waste Thorium byproducts are less radioactive and are dangerous for far shorter time intervals than byproducts of Uranium reactors India and the United States hold a large chunk of the estimated world Thorium reserves

The safe solution to nuclear

After Japan’s recent nuclear disaster, the amount of uneasiness regarding nuclear has gone up quite a bit. But there’s something that people have to remember about the Fukushima reactors; they were forty year old reactors built on old technology.

Gen IV Thorium Nuclear Reactors

Gen IV reactors such as MCR (Molten Core Reactors) have been tested to be far safer than current reactor technology. Unfortunately these reactors have been overlooked as a possible alternative to current designs, possible due to the higher cost at the time.

Thorium Fuel Source

Thorium when used with an MCR design creates an extremely safe situation. It requires energy input to maintain reaction, so it has no ability to melt down. Here are the primary benefits of Thorium.

  • Zero ability to melt down
  • Does not produce weapons grade nuclear waste
  • Can be used to destroy current weapons grade nuclear waste and reduce the amount of total nuclear waste
  • Thorium byproducts are less radioactive and are dangerous for far shorter time intervals than byproducts of Uranium reactors
  • India and the United States hold a large chunk of the estimated world Thorium reserves

Storage

One issue of nuclear, even for Thorium is storage. However since Thorium waste products are dangerous for hundreds of years rather than thousands, this is not such a difficult task. Some options are:
  • to reform the waste and use it as a heat source in cold climate scientific bases
  • to turn it into nuclear batteries for space probes and other long term use devices

The cost of not choosing nuclear

After Fukushima’s disaster, a lot of nations have started to shy away from nuclear. Germany is a major example. They are slowly phasing out nuclear energy, which makes up a large percentage of their power production capabilities. As a result energy prices have already started to rise and they will most likely continue to rise as the phase out continues.
If the phase out isn’t stopped, it’s possible that the effect on the economy will be enough to throw Germany into the mess the rest of the EU is suffering through. This would be devastating for the entire EU since Germany is one of the few nations holding up the others.

Iran

With all of the interest in preventing Iran from producing nuclear weapons, it seems that the most logical solution is to work with Iran to produce Thorium based nuclear reactors. Considering the lack of ability to create weapons grade nuclear waste from these reactors and combined with their relative safety and efficiency, it makes sense that any nation which is truly interested in nuclear energy and not in making new weapons would be willing to use this technology, if it can be shown to be viable. Quite frankly, this is a far more effective option then any kind of sanctions against the nation.

Originally from Envirocoid Blog