Thorium energy is a safe, green alternative energy with a promising future. Thorium is a low-level, radio-active element in the earth's crust. Approximately four times more abundant than uranium, thorium was discovered in 1828 by Jons Jacob Berzelius. Thorium's symbol in the Periodic Table of Elements is Th.
When thorium is converted as an energy source it is known as LFTR and often pronounced as lifter. LFTR is an acronym for Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor. When thorium is treated with a salt solution it is turned into a liquid heat energy source that is extremely powerful. LFTR is so efficient and powerful that it led Carlo Rubbia of the European Organization For Nuclear Research to say "A ton of thorium can produce as much energy as 200 tons of uranium or as much as 3,500,000 tonnes of coal."
Safe Green Alternative Energy Source
The physical properties of thorium are not conducive for extracting plutonium for nuclear proliferation. This makes for a much safer alternative to uranium. Also, thorium in its spent form has approximately only 1 to 2 percent of the volume of waste as uranium. This eliminates vast transportation resources which could in turn help prevent a catastrophic accident in moving nuclear waste.
Thorium energy is very clean which is another reason why several green alternative energy enthusiasts support LFTR. The process of the molten salt reactor makes for a clean, green alternative energy source.
Oakridge National Laboratory
The Oakridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, TN actually had a working thorium energy model way back in the 1960's. Unfortunately, because of the nuclear arms race, thorium was discredited because of its lack of plutonium proficiency. India is capitalizing on thorium having built a multi-billion dollar thorium energy plant. The United States, Russia, China, France and Japan have spent millions on R & D concerning LFTR but lag behind India in actual production.
The U.S.A. has an abundant thorium supply in the earth's crust with most of it being in northern Idaho and southern Montana. The bulk of this vast reserve is owned by Thorium Energy Inc.
Financial Savings
The financial savings to nations who switch or add the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor to their current energy program are substantial. Billions of dollars can be saved for the following reasons.
Security: With virtually no threat of nuclear proliferation untold financial resources will be saved.
Supply: Abundant resources lower cost in almost any endeavor.
Storage: Minimal when compared to uranium.
Transportation: Trucking and fuel related cost reduced because thorium's efficiency of size scale.
Fuel rods: Does not need nuclear fuel rods replaced. Uranium fuel rods heat up to potentially dangerous levels and must be replaced on a regular basis.
Recycle: Thorium can be reused opposed to uranium.
Present and future generations: Spared problems unforseen with uranium leakage into water reservoirs and natural habitat.
Thorium - Abundant, Efficient & Safe Green Alternative Energy Source
If thorium is so abundant, efficient, safe and green then why aren't we using it? This question may best be answered by another question - and answer. Why is the world taking so long to switch from gas run to electric cars? Because just like with energy, when a resource is cheap and abundant there is no outcry from the public. Once it hits the old pocket-book, that is when people complain. Sure, there are those of us who want to change because of environmental and security reasons also. But by and large it is the almighty dollar that speaks the loudest creating economies of scale for needed change.
Whatever the reason, thorium energy solves so many problems let us make the necessary adjustments for this safe, green alternative energy source.
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