China creates history, starts operation of world’s first nuclear reactor powered by…., bad news for the US, good news for India due too…

Beijing: In a major breakthrough in clean energy technology, scientists in China have successfully added new fuel to the operational thorium molten salt reactor. This means that China has run the reactor using thorium as fuel, marking the first long-term, stable operation of this technology. This development gives the Dragon a significant lead in the global race to use thorium for nuclear energy. Notably, thorium is considered a safer and more abundant option than uranium. India will also be keeping a close eye on the success of Chinese scientists, as India holds vast reserves of thorium.

As per a report by the South China Morning Post, Xu Hongji, a scientist on the thorium project, stated that the reactor is located in the Gobi Desert and it uses thorium molten salt as fuel. The Chinese reactor is specially designed to generate two megawatts of thermal power.

It is noteworthy that thorium is a radioactive element which is found in the Earth’s crust. It is used as a fuel.

Experts believe that this will prove to be an energy revolution. Just one thorium-rich mine in Inner Mongolia can meet China’s energy needs for tens of thousands of years, producing very little radioactive waste.

Project Began In 1970

China’s thorium molten salt reactor project started with theoretical research in the 1970s. In 2009, Xu was given the task of making the next-generation nuclear power technology a reality. After the construction of the experimental reactor in 2018, the project gained momentum and was scheduled to be completed by October 2023. It was running at full power by June 2024. After four months, the process of reloading the reactor with thorium fuel was completed while it was still running. Not only that, another large thorium molten salt reactor is also being built in China. This reactor is expected to be completed by 2030. It is designed to produce 10 megawatts of electricity.

Thorium reactor technology can dominate the energy sector and can become an important part of energy production in the future as this technology is safer and more sustainable. This can help China become self-sufficient in terms of energy.

US Also Trying

While the United States is pursuing thorium reactor technology, China has achieved a significant lead in its development. This advancement holds particular relevance for India, possessing substantial thorium reserves (estimated at 457,000-508,000 tonnes, approximately one-third of the global total). This resource positions India to potentially develop its own thorium-based energy program and achieve energy independence.

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