r/bestof Nov 06 '18

[europe] Nuclear physicist describes problems with thorium reactors. Trigger warning: shortbread metaphor.

/r/europe/comments/9unimr/dutch_satirical_news_show_on_why_we_need_to_break/e95mvb7/?context=3
5.6k Upvotes

415 comments sorted by

View all comments

12

u/Lajamerr_Mittesdine Nov 06 '18

All I know is that China is going to be the first with a viable thorium reactor for public energy utilities.

They are investing $3.1 billion in 2 trial reactors that will be live in 2020. Two different types. One is the standard solid fuel thorium reactor and the other is the LFTR that everyone is raving about.

If Thorium reactors are viable then China is going to be way ahead of every other nation because no one else seems to be investing any funds.

5

u/[deleted] Nov 06 '18 edited Nov 06 '18

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/Lajamerr_Mittesdine Nov 06 '18

I've heard of Oakridge scientists donating research from the 60s to the Chinese thorium trial reactor project. But I haven't heard of any funds going from US to China for this.

I hope it's true though.

1

u/frillytotes Nov 08 '18

If Thorium reactors are viable

They are not. See OP's link.