Nuclear Physicist Explains - What are Thorium Reactors?

Nuclear Physicist Explains - What are Thorium Reactors?

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In this video, I explain Thorium Reactors from the perspective of a nuclear physicist. I go through Thorium Reactors and what they are and compare them to current uranium fuelled nuclear reactors.

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[YourFriendlyNuclearPhysicist]

This is the most advanced video I’ve made so far, I tried my best to explain it as simple as I could.
Let me know what you think!

Are you guys team thorium or team uranium?☢️👩🏽‍🔬

[sevilnatas]

The thing that I heard and sounded attractive to me, was the idea that Thorium is already being mined in great quantity but is considered tailings to other mining processes. Specifically, rare earth element mining supposedly produces a lot of Thorium waste, so that would have the advantage of creating a use for something we are currently "throwing away" right now. I am no expert, so what I have heard may be typical internet FUD, but if it is true, it does add to the benefits of Thorium.

[mrstevecox]

Good video: I'm team Thorium! 1) I think the proliferation issue is overplayed: we have the same issues (if not worse) when it comes to Uranium. Nuclear fuels and processes will always need security. The U233 stage of thorium cycle does not need a specific place for storage: it will be in a dynamic salt solution and will not need to be separated out and cooled off. 2) Availability: only if we use up all available Thorium then we will need to develop (really expensive) undersea mining of Uranium! But the existing Thorium in India, China and in the tailings of rare earth mining will last for kiloyears even if *all* energy production is diverted to Thorium plants. This is not a significant problem 3) Tech difficulties: if 10% of fusion research funding were diverted to Thorium tech solutions (corrosion issues and pumps, mainly) then there would be working reactors by the end of 2023 (not 2050 as the projected date for anything useful to come out of ITER!). 4) Storage of waste: ditto re technical issues. The slightly larger front end costs of Thorium waste are heavily outweighed by the long term issues of conventional storage of the Uranium cycle (and these do not disappear even with reuse of Uranium waste as a fuel in a MSR). 5) In conclusion, Thorium needs to be front and centre right now, not kept on the shelf in case Uranium doesn't work out..Many thanks for a great run-down!

[michaelwebber]

No one else I've ever watched talking about thorium has ever explained the proliferation issues with it. Thank you that was fantastic

[TCampbell]

Great video Elina! I've been reading about thorium as a fuel source for years, but you gave a thorough explanation of the process. I always thought the waste produced was minimal ( compared to LWR) and could be recycled.

[spidalack]

Finally, a proper explanation that isn't just hype.

You made it quite clear and understandable.

Thank you very much

[toddkes]

Chapters:
0:32 - What is a Thorium Reactor
1:43 - How is a Thorium Reactor different from Uranium Reactor
3:06 - Fuel Abundance (amount of uranium and thorium in Earth crust vs oceans)
4:36 - Safety (Proliferation & temperature)
7:28 - Economics (enrichment vs amount used in a reactor, fuel manufacturing costs, and refueling operations)
10:45 - Efficiency (higher efficiency, but neutron speed issues)
12:35 - Waste (no trans-uranic wastes, lower radioactivity, short-term toxicity, solid vs liquid waste, chemical problems)
14:52 - Proliferation (hard to steal, U-233 proliferation)
18:49 - Current Status (little experience with running or dealing with waste)

[autarchex]

My favorite little feature of the LFTR prototype was possibly its simplest aspect - if there is any kind of power loss or need to shut down, the cooling mechanism keeping the drain outlet solid stops, the plug melts, and the reactor empties itself into the storage / reheater tank where the liquid salt freezes until you are ready to start it up again.

[HeathInHeath]

Thank you for the clear explanation of the issues involved in the consideration of thorium reactors for nuclear energy production. I have never heard such a comprehensive explanation and found it quite enlightening.

[barry]

Thanks Elina, I have subscribed, because of your unbiased and knowledgeable video. I worked for 35 years in the nuclear industry, NOT power generation but lots of work with isotopes. To me, it's not a case of 'teams' or 'winners', its about making the right choice and videos and input from people like yourself should give us the best option. Keep safe and keep up the good work.

[bleachie]

I learned so much about Thorium reactors! I’ve heard about them before, but people acted like they had no downsides. I really appreciate all the work you put into making this video!

[ahettinger]

I've always liked everything I've heard about thorium reactors (admittedly, mostly due to the safety advantages of molten salt designed compared to our more common PWR designs), but you pointed out concerns I've not heard discussed before. Thank you!

[steveofthewildnorth]

Excellent video! My late father-in-law worked on the molten salt reactor experiment during his career at ORNL. He'd have loved your explanation.

[wnhulsey]

This scientist is highly capable and a delight from which to learn. Thanks so much for this excellent work!

[MostlyPennyCat]

We don't need Thorium yet:
_"Less than a kilometre from the western shore of the Bay of Fundy, the Point Lepreau Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility temporarily houses about 160, 000 spent fuel assemblies from New Brunswick’s only nuclear power reactor. Moltex Energy, a Saint John-based startup, proposes to recycle that radioactive waste into fresh fuel for a new 300-megawatt reactor called the Stable Salt Reactor-Wasteburner, or SSR-W."_

[JehuMcSpooran]

Great explanation, Elina. There were a few things in there that has not been brought up and explained in other videos on the subject. I wasn't aware of Uranium 233 and how it is weapons grade. I do agree that finding a way to burn our old nuclear waste is a priority. Waste is a resource not yet exploited.

[Joe-hofo]

I’ve heard a lot about the advantages of thorium. This was a well balanced and unbiased presentation of the pros and cons.

[JetDom]

The thing with thorium reactors and uranium there will always be advantages and disadvantages. But honestly I agree we need something where the reactor deals with its own waste, I would also be open to the idea of fast breeder reactors.

[sylvainbrosseau]

To quote someone: The Moltex Static Salt design does away with almost every hazard from traditional nuclear power. Its sheer simplicity and intrinsic safety should dramatically reduce costs. It’s also scaleable by building more reactors on the same site. It is naturally load following and and cannot over heat. Excessive temperature stops the nuclear reaction long before it becomes dangerous. It could be disconnected from load at full power and nothing nasty would happen. It has boron shut-down rods but they are not needed as an emergency tool.
There is no water or steam in the core so no pressure and considerably less corrosion than we get in PWR cores.
We should be moving heaven and earth to build these things. Instead we have an out of control nuclear regulator that completely stalled progress. Moltex is now getting the job done in Canada.

[gizelop]

As a former reactor operator trainee, the Department . of energy defunded our FFTF Project and I along with hundreds, all disciplines were laid off, your discussion was excellent, I preferred uranium