Thorium as nuclear fuel(S&T)
Thorium as nuclear fuel(S&T)
Context:
India’s long-term energy security and transition towards net-zero emissions have revived discussions on the use of thorium as a nuclear fuel.
Experts have highlighted that India possesses some of the world’s largest thorium reserves.
Brief About Thorium as Nuclear Fuel
What is Thorium?
Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can be used as a nuclear fuel.
Unlike uranium, thorium itself is not directly fissile, but it can be converted into Uranium-233 (U-233), which can sustain nuclear reactions.
India has abundant thorium reserves, particularly in monazite sands along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
Thorium in India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme
India’s nuclear programme follows a three-stage strategy developed by Homi J. Bhabha.
The first stage uses Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) fuelled by uranium.
The second stage involves Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), such as the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), which help produce fissile material.
The third stage aims to use thorium-based reactors for large-scale and sustainable nuclear energy generation.
Advantages of Thorium
Thorium is more abundant in India than uranium, improving long-term energy security.
Thorium-based fuel cycles can reduce dependence on imported uranium.
Thorium reactors produce comparatively lower long-lived radioactive waste.
The thorium-U-233 fuel cycle is considered more proliferation-resistant.
Thorium can support clean, low-carbon and reliable baseload electricity generation.