China to build world’s first nuclear power plant using molten thorium salt

Current Context : China is planning to build the world’s first nuclear power plant using molten thorium salt.

• It is a groundbreaking development in nuclear energy technology.

ABOUT MOLTEN SALT REACTORS (MSRS):

• MSRs are a type of nuclear reactor where the nuclear fuel is dissolved in a molten salt mixture.
• This technology differs from conventional reactors that use solid fuel rods.
• They are known for their potential safety benefits, higher efficiency, and reduced nuclear waste.

ABOUT THORIUM FUEL:

• Thorium is a naturally occurring element with radioactivity,is found at trace levels in soil, rocks, water, plants  and
• It is an alternative nuclear fuel to uranium.
• It is more abundant and has certain advantages, such as producing less long-lived radioactive waste compared to uranium and having a lower risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.
• Due to its physical characteristics, thorium cannot be used directly to produce nuclear energy. It has to be first converted to U-233 in a nuclear reactor. 
• Thorium reactors can also be more efficient in utilizing the nuclear fuel.
• Its reactor does not need water for cooling because it utilizes liquid salt or carbon dioxide to transfer heat and make electricity.
• Unlike the water-cooling model, this design significantly reduces the chances of meltdowns.

IN INDIA :

• Kerala and Odisha have rich reserves of monazite, which contains about 8 – 10% thorium.

Monazite is also prominent in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jharkhand.