3 ms·

Im not an expert here, but from what I have read - every one of those programs are not getting funding because of a larger disinterest in nuclear power per se.

Im not an expert here, but from what I have read - every one of those programs are not getting funding because of a larger disinterest in nuclear power per se. Im fact US, China, Russia, etc have all a thorium reactor in some stage of late stage development. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molten_salt_reactor https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molten_salt_reactor

panick21_ 5y ago
I don't really care about Thorium that much. A Uranium Fast Breeder can be almost as economical and is more achievable in the short term. The most important is to get a molten salt cooled or molten salt fueled reactor licensed. The problem with all these projects is that they are either government driven and then the resources are very devised and 99% of the time it will not be commercial. Or its semi commercial and then those companies have huge issues with financing. The closest thing to a molten salt reactor that might actually be commercial (with an actual operational license) in the Western world will almost certainty come from Canada. Canada after their Candu project was sold commercially looked for a next generation project. They have a very well respected regulator that is fully committed to actually supporting next generation designs and have implemented a process that actually makes it practically possible to get to a real commercial reactor. See: https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/reactors/power-plants/pre-licensing-vendor-design-review/index.cfm#p3 https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/reactors/power-plants/pre-li... Terrestrial Energy is the closest in actually passing Phase 2. They hope to complete it this year.
- sandGorgon 5y ago
  but you are not talking from the perspective of India and China - which will soon grow into the most polluting countries on the planet...and steadfastly refused to sign environmental accords. India and China dont have access to Uranium reserves - today or for projected growth in 20 years. You are right that from a Western perspective - a uranium fast breeder reactor is probably better. But I'm hoping the general interest and investment in the space will help Thorium as well as a side effect.

panick21_ 5y ago

I don't really care about Thorium that much. A Uranium Fast Breeder can be almost as economical and is more achievable in the short term. The most important is to get a molten salt cooled or molten salt fueled reactor licensed. The problem with all these projects is that they are either government driven and then the resources are very devised and 99% of the time it will not be commercial. Or its semi commercial and then those companies have huge issues with financing. The closest thing to a molten salt reactor that might actually be commercial (with an actual operational license) in the Western world will almost certainty come from Canada. Canada after their Candu project was sold commercially looked for a next generation project. They have a very well respected regulator that is fully committed to actually supporting next generation designs and have implemented a process that actually makes it practically possible to get to a real commercial reactor. See: https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/reactors/power-plants/pre-licensing-vendor-design-review/index.cfm#p3 https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/reactors/power-plants/pre-li... Terrestrial Energy is the closest in actually passing Phase 2. They hope to complete it this year.

sandGorgon 5y ago
but you are not talking from the perspective of India and China - which will soon grow into the most polluting countries on the planet...and steadfastly refused to sign environmental accords. India and China dont have access to Uranium reserves - today or for projected growth in 20 years. You are right that from a Western perspective - a uranium fast breeder reactor is probably better. But I'm hoping the general interest and investment in the space will help Thorium as well as a side effect.