@mrstevecox7
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!
@toddkes5890
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)
@stevegarcia3731
Three countries have tried to use U-233 for bombs. The US, the USSR, and Pakistan. All three tried it and ran away from it, due to the severe problems of gamma ray raadiation and the life of a bomb's internals. None of them tried it a second time. That is as far from proliferation as you can get.
@CFabcc
this is the most condensed, professional and credible video I have seen on the subject. Congratulations
@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.
@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.
@michaelwebber4033
No one else I've ever watched talking about thorium has ever explained the proliferation issues with it. Thank you that was fantastic
@tsr4822
I have to be honest this was one of the better explained Videos on thorium reactors Most of us are Novices at how a thorium reactor would work with the pros and cons to go with it.
@seebo5139
Finally, a professional who actually knows about Thorium! That was a fantastic explanation. Also, great to see that some young people still do go into the sciences, very important for all of us. Keep up the good work!
@steveofthewildnorth7493
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.
@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!
@spidalack
Finally, a proper explanation that isn't just hype. You made it quite clear and understandable. Thank you very much
@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.
@wnhulsey3
This scientist is highly capable and a delight from which to learn. Thanks so much for this excellent work!
@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.
@michalchik
I think really what we should be focusing on in this technology is the molten salt aspect of it. The incredible efficiency largely comes from that aspect of the technology. Thorium is great for a lot of reasons and it is probably our preferred fuel but what's wonderful about molten salt is that we can make it much more efficient and separate out waste products very easily as well as building intrinsic safety in the geometry of the nuclear core through thermal expansion and the drainage basins.
@holden5478
Excellent video! I was arguing with my nuclear engineering friend of mine (I'm an electrical engineer) over thorium reactors a few years ago. He was very much against adopting it on scale based on practicality.
@deweyck6820
This is the type of ASMR the world needs. More physics yesssss
@dallassukerkin6878
So good to hear the other side of the coin on this matter! All I have heard previously was positive with no hint that there was any downsides to thorium at all.
@YourFriendlyNuclearPhysicist