What are the Weaknesses of Thorium Fuel in Nuclear Reactors?
Explore the significant weaknesses of thorium fuel and its impact on nuclear reactor design.
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A significant weakness of thorium is that it is not naturally fissile, meaning it cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction by itself. Thorium reactors require an initial supply of fissile material, like uranium-235 or plutonium, to begin the reaction. This dependency can complicate the reactor design and fuel cycle management.
FAQs & Answers
- Why is thorium not considered fissile? Thorium is not fissile because it cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction by itself and requires fissile material to initiate the reaction.
- What materials are needed for thorium reactors? Thorium reactors typically need initial fissile materials such as uranium-235 or plutonium to start the nuclear reaction.
- What are the benefits of using thorium as nuclear fuel? Thorium offers benefits such as abundance, safety, and potentially lower radioactive waste compared to traditional uranium fuel.