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China Set to Begin First Trials of Thorium Molten Salt Nuclear Reactor

posted by martyb on Sunday August 29 2021, @01:34AM   Printer-friendly
from the glowing-recommendation? dept.

wirelessduck writes:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-28/china-thorium-molten-salt-nuclear-reactor-energy/100351932

Scientists in China are about to turn on for the first time an experimental reactor that's believed by some to be the Holy Grail of nuclear energy — safer, cheaper and with less potential for weaponisation.

Construction on the thorium-based molten salt reactor was expected to be finished this month with the first tests to begin as early as September, according to a statement from the Gansu provincial government.

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  • (Score: 2) by MIRV888 on Sunday August 29 2021, @04:28AM (1 child)

    by MIRV888 (11376) on Sunday August 29 2021, @04:28AM (#1171955)

    I'll take helium for 500 Alex.

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  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by PinkyGigglebrain on Sunday August 29 2021, @08:14PM

    by PinkyGigglebrain (4458) on Sunday August 29 2021, @08:14PM (#1172100)

    you do know that one of the biggest hurdles in Fusion power is going to be fuel right?

    None of the current fusion projects are expected to be able to ever sustain pure Hydrogen fusion events, the temperatures and pressures are just too far beyond anything Humanity can manage in the foreseeable future.

    The current path plans to use isotopes of Hydrogen and Helium, namely H2 and He3, which fuse at lower temperature and pressures.

    But getting enough He3 is going to be hard, it is incredibly rare on Earth and expensive to concentrate into usable concentrations. A proposed method is to use the neutrons from the fusion reactions to breed He3 from Lithium in a blanket that will surround the fusion core. The method hasn't actually been proven to work at the scale and efficiencies needed to make a fusion power plant self sustaining in regards to fuel supply.

    Why do you think everyone is talking excitedly about harvesting He3 from Luna?

    --
    "Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."