Thorium Nuclear Energy: How Electricity is Produced, Advantages, and Future Potential
Learn how thorium nuclear energy works, its advantages, reactor types, and future potential for power
Thorium Nuclear Energy: How Electricity is Produced, Advantages, and Future Potential
Thorium is an alternative nuclear fuel that holds great promise for future energy generation. Unlike uranium-based nuclear power, thorium offers enhanced safety, greater fuel abundance, and reduced long-lived nuclear waste. Thorium reactors work by harnessing the energy released from nuclear fission , converting it into heat, and subsequently producing electricity through conventional thermodynamic cycles. The thorium fuel cycle is gaining attention as a viable option to complement or replace uranium-based nuclear reactors due to its potential to address concerns related to nuclear safety, proliferation, and sustainability.
Understanding Thorium as a Nuclear Fuel Thorium (Th-232) is a naturally occurring, fertile material, meaning it is not directly fissile like Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239. However, when exposed to neutrons, thorium undergoes a nuclear reaction that converts it into Uranium-233 (U-233), which is fissile and can sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Thorium Fuel Cycle Neutron…
About the author
Prasun Barua is a graduate engineer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a passion for simplifying complex technical concepts for learners and professionals alike. He has authored numerous highly regarded books covering a wide range of elec…
