Thorium as Nuclear Fuel in the Molten Salt Reactor

by Prof. Eduardo Greaves (Institut de Physique Nucléaire IPN Orsay, France)

Friday 17 May 2013, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Rome

M. B. Ceolin meeting room (INFN-LNL)

The seminar presents the following topics:The energy demand problem in the worldwide context. Current nuclear power technology shortcomings with PWR/BWR solid fuel nuclear reactors. Technical issues and the mediatic reality. The thorium molten salt reactor (MSR) concept, its inception at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, history, characteristics and development. Recent concept proposals: The fast neutron flux reactors: Russian burner reactor MOSART and the European (EVOL) Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR). The thermal neutron proposals in Japan (FUJI series). The thorium cycle in a molten salt reactor and the alternatives to provide fissile in the short, intermediate and future thorium era. Advantages of the MSR. Present situation and proposals in the USA, Europe, India, Japan and Venezuela. Will China lead with the first commercial MSR?
Prof. Eduardo D. Greaves. PhD Universidad Simon Bolivar (Fisica), Caracas, Venezuela. Email: egreaves20002000@yahoo.com, http://www.nuclear.fis.usb.ve/fgreaves.htm Currently at Institut de Physique Nucléaire IPN Orsay, France