Discovery of “Unlimited” Energy Source in China to Power the Country for 60,000 Years
Geologists in China have made a significant discovery at the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia. This discovery reveals an “unlimited” energy source that could supply China with power for up to 60,000 years. The source relies on thorium, a mildly radioactive element that can be used in molten salt nuclear reactors to produce large amounts of energy.
Thorium: A Future Alternative Energy Source
Scientists have identified massive quantities of thorium at the Bayan Obo complex, one of China’s largest mining hubs. Thorium can be used in advanced nuclear power stations, such as the “molten salt reactor,” which can generate vast amounts of energy.
Advantages of Thorium as an Energy Source
Reports indicate that mining waste in China contains vast amounts of thorium that have yet to be exploited. If these quantities are extracted efficiently, they could help eliminate global dependence on fossil fuels. A study suggests that the thorium in the country’s mining waste could meet the energy needs of the United States for over a thousand years.
Massive Thorium Reserves
The study reveals that China contains 233 thorium-rich areas. Estimates show that the country’s thorium reserves exceed previous expectations by 500 times compared to uranium-232, which is used in traditional nuclear reactors.
How Thorium is Extracted and Used
Although thorium cannot be directly used in fission reactions, it is “fertile,” meaning it can be converted into uranium-233 when exposed to neutrons. In a molten salt reactor, thorium is mixed with lithium fluoride and heated to around 1400°C. The mixture is then bombarded with neutrons to initiate the fission reaction.
China and the World’s First Thorium Nuclear Reactor
China is currently building the world’s first nuclear power plant using thorium and the molten salt reactor system. Thanks to its vast thorium reserves, China is expected to meet its energy needs for up to 20,000 years.
Long-Term Benefits of Thorium
Thorium is considered a promising alternative to uranium for energy production, as it can generate up to 200 times the energy that uranium produces.
Additionally, using thorium in nuclear reactors may lead to less toxic waste and easier reprocessing.
Economic Challenges
Despite the significant potential of thorium, scientists face economic challenges in efficiently extracting this element. According to the World Nuclear Association, this remains a significant obstacle.
Conclusion
Thorium could revolutionize the energy industry by providing a sustainable energy source, helping reduce global reliance on fossil fuels. However, economic challenges remain in efficiently extracting and utilizing this element.
Sources:
- The Daily Mail
- World Nuclear Association
- The South China Post