Environment & Energy

CRH

(1,553 posts)

18. Do you know why thorium reactor technology, ...

Tue Feb 19, 2013, 11:25 AM

Feb 2013

received so little attention after the first prototype? Were once through Light Water Reactors considered more dependable or safer?

What were the problems with thorium that prevented the technology from progressing? Thorium reactors produce much less waste while utilizing a broad range of fuel sources, including high level waste. It would seem to me if the technology was sound, thorium would be a natural fit if weapons and commercial waste from LWRs was accumulating. However, it appears other than later projects like the IFR reactor you discussed last week, little thought was given to accumulating waste until later in the eighties and nineties.

Was MSR technology ever revived in the US after the initial prototype or did fast reactor technology dominate the funding and R&D.?

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

20 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Lockheed Martin bets big on...nuclear fusion? [View all] wtmusic Feb 2013 OP

Sounds great if they can make it work formercia Feb 2013 #1

I was thinking the same thing. wtmusic Feb 2013 #2

They're talking continuous operation at 100MW formercia Feb 2013 #3

K&R for the future of nuclear fusion think Feb 2013 #4

Well there is always this: Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #5

I like the optimism, ... CRH Feb 2013 #6

Neither of those technologies is necessary bananas Feb 2013 #7

No there are other routes, but, ... CRH Feb 2013 #8

True, optimism doesn't count for much without dedication. wtmusic Feb 2013 #9

I Also Like The Optimism, BUT Vogon_Glory Feb 2013 #10

Yep, as stated optimism is not results, ... CRH Feb 2013 #11

A succcessful MSR prototype ran for four years at Oak Ridge in the 60s wtmusic Feb 2013 #12

I hadn't heard about MSR at Oak Ridge, ... CRH Feb 2013 #13

I believe you hit the nail on the head wtmusic Feb 2013 #14

It helps to put some historic pieces together, ... CRH Feb 2013 #15

NOPE!! PamW Feb 2013 #17

Nuclear weapons had NOTHING to do with it. PamW Feb 2013 #16

Do you know why thorium reactor technology, ... CRH Feb 2013 #18

If memory serves.. PamW Feb 2013 #19

Ten years and $30,000,000,000 will do the trick SkatmanRoth Feb 2014 #20