Torium (Th-232) is a natural radioactive element, which is located in the series of actinides of periodic table, about three to four times more than uranium in the ground shell. When the future is discussed with clean, safe and plenty of energy nuclear technologies, toryum has been a major focus of interest in Turkey especially in Turkey.
So the toryum can be used directly in nuclear power plants? What is the reserves of Turkey and when to trade the toryum reactors?
Basic difference between bradium and uranium: Fertility (Fertile) material
The most critical physical fact to know about torium in nuclear energy is: Torium can not do direct filaments per itself (not fissile).
- Fisil (Fissile) Item (Front: U-235): It reveals energy and new neutrons by dividing immediately when it cools a thermal neutral.
- Fertility (Fertile) Item (Front: Th-232): It can not be split; but a neutron cools a nuclear conversion (transmulation) and is a fiscal isotop after two beta degradation Uranium-233 (U-233) turn. The main isizotop that performs energy-generating filament response is U-233.
Therefore, a "cleaner" (convened uranium, plutonium or accelerator guided neutron source) will start the reaction to work of a torium reactor.
What are the advantages of the Torium fuel cycle?
Compared with traditional uranium fuel cycle, the torium-based nuclear cycle has significant superiorities:
- Less Long Life Waste: The formation of long-lasting miner actinitis such as plutonium, americium and cureidium in the Torium cycle is almost less than ever. Radioactivity is not hundreds of thousands of years, about 300-500 years in the natural background level.
- Lowness of Nuclear Armed Risk (Proliferation Resistance): U-232 isotopu, which is formed inevitably alongside U-233, emits very high-energy hard gama rays (Tl-208 degradation). This condition makes the material moving secretly, processing, and the use of weapons in order to be extremely difficult.
- High Yield with Ergished Salt Reactors (MSR): Torium can be operated in Ergimiş Salt Reactors (Molten Salt Reactor - MSR) atmospheric pressure and high temperature. There is no risk of pressure explosion and the electrical production efficiency is 45-50%.
| Comparison Criteria | Classic Uranium Cycle (U-235/U-238) | Torium Fuel Cycle (Th-232/U-233) |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Bolluk | ~2.7ppm in floor shell | ~9.6 ppm in floor shell (3-4 times more) |
| Fisil / Fertility | 0.7% of natural uranyum (U-235) | All natural toryum fertility (Th-232) |
| Waste Radioactivity Time | ~100.000 - 300.000 years | ~300 - 500 years |
| Plutonium Production Home | Significant quantity is produced | Less than inability level |
| Commercial Mature | Very high (400+ reactors across the world) | Development and pilot phase (China, India) |
How long is Turkey's toryum reserves?
According to the General Directorate of Mineral Tetkik and Search (MTA) and Turkey Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Institute (TENMAK) data, Turkey has one of the largest toryum beds in the world.
- Eskisehir - Sivrihisar (Girls): Turkey is the most known and largest torium bed. The toryum here is located with Rare Earth Element (NTE), barit and fluorite in complex orees. According to MTA data, there is about 380.000 tons of visible and probable torium oxide ($ThO 2$).
- Malatya - Kuluncak and Hekimhan: Significant torium potential is detected in alkaline rocks in the region and in orekeeping.
- Place in Global Rank: Turkey; India, Brazil, Australia and USA are located in the top rankings of the world toryum reserve.
Why did Torium reactors not yet be common?
Despite the great theoretical advantages that Torium offers, there are engineering and economic reasons that are not common in the world today:
- Richened Starter Requirement: Fisil material support is mandatory for the start of the reaction.
- Rework and Manufacturing Difficult: Due to the intense gama radiation emitted by U-232, it is necessary to perform the fuel fabrication and the full remote control of reprocessing plants behind thick lead armors.
- Built-in Uranium Infrastructure: The billions of dollars across the world have been established in the supply, enrichment and reactor licensing ecosystem. The transition to Torium requires new licensing processes and high R&D budgets.
- Current Developments: In 2021, Gobi Desert launched 2 MWt power torium fuel liquid fluoride salt reactor (TMSR-LF1) in Gobi Desert.
Frequently asked questions
Can Turkey produce its own electricity with toryum?
Turkey's torium reserves are theoretically sized that can meet the needs of electricity that will last for centuries of the country. However, the processing of this ore is an R&D process that continues on a global scale of conversion to U-233 and commercially licensed reactor designs.
Does Torium reactors melt (ameltdown happens)?
Especially in Torium Liquid Fluoride Salt Reactors (LFTR) fuel is already liquid. In the case of any overheating, the frozen salt plug under the reactor melts and flows passive emergency drainage tanks with liquid fuel gravity; the reaction stops itself. It is physically impossible to "reactor heart melt" in classic sense.
Can Akkuyu work with NGS toryum?
No. Akkuyu NGS is VVER-1200 type Pressure Water Reactor (PWR) using rich uranium dioxide ($UO 2$) pellets (PWR). The core geometry of the reactor is designed according to the refrigerant and neutral balance uranium fuel.
Resources
- MTA, Turkey Torium Inventory and Rare Earth Elements Report.
- IAEA, AaUppercase (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NF-T-2.4).
- World Nuclear Association (WNA), Thor: https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/thorium.aspx