Forget everything you thought you knew about nuclear energy. If I told you that the world is on the verge of an energy revolution.

China has just launched a reactor that could light up humanity's future. They are betting on thorium, a fuel that promises meltdown-resistant power and waste so clean it could almost be buried in your own backyard.

Imagine a nuclear reactor that cannot melt down. This is not due to complex safety systems, but rather its physical principles. If the reactor overheats, the molten salt will expand, slowing down the reaction rate. It's a self-regulating system, like a nuclear thermostat. Even better: this reactor could consume existing nuclear waste. Yes, you heard that right. It can turn our leftover radioactive waste into clean energy. They also plan to establish a closed-loop system where most of the nuclear waste is reused within the reactor itself. This is more than just a new power plant; it’s a potential solution to nuclear waste.

But the benefits of thorium reactors go beyond safety. Let's explore how they could completely transform energy distribution. In addition to their abundance and safety, thorium reactors could revolutionize energy distribution. Because they are smaller and more modular, they can provide power for remote communities, military bases, and even space exploration. Imagine clean, reliable energy everywhere. This might fundamentally change how we power the world. We won't need to rely on large centralized grids anymore.

China's goal isn't just one reactor. Their aim is mass production, establishing a fleet of thorium power plants. It's a long-term strategy, a bet on the future. They claim that the energy produced will cost far less than current nuclear power plants. That's quite a bold statement. They also plan to export this technology worldwide. Is this a move to seize energy dominance? As of October 2023, China's experimental thorium reactor TMSR-LF1 reached criticality on October 11, 2023. Subsequently, it achieved full-power operation [2 megawatts thermal power] on June 17, 2024, and successfully demonstrated nuclear proliferation by running at full power with thorium in molten salt for 10 days in October 2024.

While China is far ahead, the United States, once a pioneer in molten salt reactor research, is now catching up. The U.S. is investing in advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors [SMRs], but can it compete with China's rapidly deployed thorium reactors? Edwin Lyman, a nuclear physicist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said: "The U.S. has expertise, but it needs to pick up the pace to remain competitive in this new energy race." Meanwhile, countries like India and the UK are exploring thorium-based reactors, signaling a potential shift in the global nuclear energy landscape. For instance, India has been developing its own thorium reactors as part of its three-stage nuclear program, aiming for energy independence by 2050.

China's thorium reactor is a bold move that could redefine nuclear energy. We are witnessing the dawn of a new era.

Source: Incredible Construction

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498220018451268123/

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