/sci/ - Science & Math

All this talk of science and yet nobody talking about Molten Salt Nuclear Reactors?

Virtually limitless carbon free energy with waste products beneficial in both medical and scientific applications. Not to mention we could start a moon base more easily if we didn't have to rely on the sun/batteries.

Why aren't you talking about Thorium?

#energyfromthorium

energyfromthorium.com

Thorium Thread

http://wwwkickstartercom/projects/1820052608/the-good-reactor-0

Will it ever happen?

>>what are the cons to thorium power?
Assuming you're talking about the LFTR and not solid thorium fuel like India is trying to do (since that's what the thread is centered around) It's a (relatively) newer and under-developed type of reactor. There is a lot of work to be done before it's implemented, but it's potential is great.
>>Is thorium more expensive compared to uranium?
No, the currently used Enriched Uranium we use for fuel is much more expensive, and most of the energy in the fuel is not 'burned up'. That's why there are efforts to reprocess the waste instead of storing it in Yucca, but Yucca has been Presidentially Cockblocked, and The reprocessing was Congressionally Cockblocked before that, too.
Is the energy obtained considerably lower?
No, it's much higher. Pic related, apparently that's the mass of a lifetime's supply of energy.
>>Why wasn't this a huge success back when it was being tested?
It was. It was also purpose built for the first Nuclear Powered aircraft, and when the Air Force finally realized ICBMs would work, the funding for the project was cut. Alvin Weinberg was correctly quoted though saying "A High Temperature Reactor could be useful for other purposes" since now the Army is looking at ways to deploy power efficiently to bases, and reduce risk of transporting fuel in combat zones (think Command and Conquer power plants) and who knows, maybe they could use that extra energy for weapons systems in the future too.