Chinese government scientists have unveiled plans for a first-of-its-kind, experimental nuclear reactor that does not need water for cooling.Live Science
The molten-salt nuclear reactor, which runs on liquid thorium rather than uranium, is expected to be safer than traditional reactors because the molten salt cools and solidifies quickly when exposed to the air, insulating the thorium, so that any potential leak would spill much less radiation into the surrounding environment compared with leaks from traditional reactors.
The prototype reactor is expected to be completed next month, with the first tests beginning as early as September. This will pave the way for the building of the first commercial reactor, slated for construction by 2030....
China is gearing up to activate the world's first 'clean' commercial nuclear reactor
Ben Turner
All they do is copying us…not.
ReplyDeleteYo we’ve been studying it for over 50 years…
ReplyDeletehttps://www.osti.gov/node/245164
We’re going to use a different technology for US next generation…
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Generation_Nuclear_Plant
Hmm The overall project faltered in the mid-2010s due to a lack of pressing demand from industry and government stakeholders, and lack of funding commitment from both private and government sources. While the overall program made notable achievements in materials science and regulatory matters which saw further application, by 2015 the overall project was terminated without any fabrication or construction of a NGNP plant performed or planned.
ReplyDeleteIIRC, Germany had such a reactor in the 70s and then phased it out.
ReplyDeleteNo market here for it yet… we already have a electrical generation capability…
ReplyDeleteChina directly transitioning from rickshaws to EVs under US soft power initiatives…
The nuclear power industry is an uninsurable darling of big government.
ReplyDeleteThey also managed to lose the trust of the general public.