Thoriuim as an alternative form of Energy
20 May 2014
A World with Thorium
The research investigates the benefits of Thorium as an alternative source of energy. The scope of the essay was focused on four main points: how long reserves of Thorium would last, the benefits of reduced pollution using Thorium reactors, Thorium’s inability to be used in weapons, and its advantage over the current nuclear fuel Uranium. Most sources were found in a database called EBSCOhost, in which there was a concept for a reactor known as the Radkowsky design, two articles, one focusing on the benefits of Thorium by V.B. Ashley and R. Ashworth. The other article was about the implementation, benefits, issues, and commercial feasibility of Thorium. The next source was a TED talk given by Kirk Sorenson who had worked at NASA to develop a source of energy for a lunar community. The final sources were two websites sponsored by the World Nuclear Association, and the other by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The global energy crisis is a gigantic problem, and scientists believe we are on the verge of the runaway greenhouse effect Thorium provides a clean energy source that can power the world for a long period of time. The element is remarkably abundant and efficient. In addition, the use of Thorium reactors would be relatively safe, considering the amount of safeguards present in a reactor, and its inability to be used in nuclear weapons once used in a reactor. The implementation and global use of Thorium reactors must become a reality for a clean and sustainable energy source to power the world. (257 Words)
Imagine a silvery-white metal, filled with so much energy that it is named after the Greek god of thunder, and has the power to fuel the world. That element is Thorium, a new fantastic source of energy that is frankly miraculous. Dated forms of energy like fossil fuels are damaging our planet on a monumental scale; however, the nuclear option is free of greenhouse waste products and available in large
A World with Thorium
The research investigates the benefits of Thorium as an alternative source of energy. The scope of the essay was focused on four main points: how long reserves of Thorium would last, the benefits of reduced pollution using Thorium reactors, Thorium’s inability to be used in weapons, and its advantage over the current nuclear fuel Uranium. Most sources were found in a database called EBSCOhost, in which there was a concept for a reactor known as the Radkowsky design, two articles, one focusing on the benefits of Thorium by V.B. Ashley and R. Ashworth. The other article was about the implementation, benefits, issues, and commercial feasibility of Thorium. The next source was a TED talk given by Kirk Sorenson who had worked at NASA to develop a source of energy for a lunar community. The final sources were two websites sponsored by the World Nuclear Association, and the other by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The global energy crisis is a gigantic problem, and scientists believe we are on the verge of the runaway greenhouse effect Thorium provides a clean energy source that can power the world for a long period of time. The element is remarkably abundant and efficient. In addition, the use of Thorium reactors would be relatively safe, considering the amount of safeguards present in a reactor, and its inability to be used in nuclear weapons once used in a reactor. The implementation and global use of Thorium reactors must become a reality for a clean and sustainable energy source to power the world. (257 Words)
Imagine a silvery-white metal, filled with so much energy that it is named after the Greek god of thunder, and has the power to fuel the world. That element is Thorium, a new fantastic source of energy that is frankly miraculous. Dated forms of energy like fossil fuels are damaging our planet on a monumental scale; however, the nuclear option is free of greenhouse waste products and available in large
Cited: Ashley, V. B., and R. Ashworth. "Accelerating Towards a Thorium Fuelled Future." Modern Power Systems Dec. 2010: 19. EBSCOhost. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. "Backgrounder on Radioactive Waste." United States Nuclear Regulatory Commision. United States of America, 4 Feb. 2011. Web. 3 May 2014. . "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Avoided through Use of Nuclear Energy." World Nuclear Association. World Nuclear Association, 2014. Web. 5 May 2014. Nelson, Andrew T. "Thorium: Not a Near-Term Commercial Nuclear Fuel." Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Sept. 2012: 33-44. EBSCOhost. Web. 3 May 2014. . Sorenson, Kirk. "Thorium an Alternative Nuclear Fuel." TEDxYYC. 13 May 2013. Lecture. "Uranium." Scientific American. Scientific American, 26 Jan. 2009. Web. 16 May 2014.