Thorium Reactor Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2017 to 2025

Discovered in 1828 by Sweden-based chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius, thorium is a naturally-occurring radioactive material found in small amounts in rocks and soils. It is about three times more abundant than uranium. Thorium exists in a single isotopic form - Th-232 - that decays slowly. Monazite, a rare earth phosphate mineral, is the common source of thorium. It contains up to 12% thorium phosphate. Monazite is found in igneous and other rocks with richest deposits in areas concentrated by waves and current action with other heavy minerals. World monazite resources are estimated to stand at about 16 million tons of which 12 million tons are in heavy mineral sands deposits on the south and east coasts of India.

Request Sample Copy of the Report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25868
Thorium is not fissile; therefore, it is not directly usable in a thermal neutron reactor. However, it is ‘fertile’ and upon absorbing a neutron transmutes to uranium-233 (U-233), which is an excellent fissile fuel material. All thorium fuel concepts therefore require that Th-232 first be irradiated in a reactor to provide the necessary neutron dosing to produce protactinium-233. The Pa-233 that is produced can either be chemically separated from the parent thorium fuel and the decay product U-233 then recycled into new fuel, or the U-233 may be usable ‘in-situ’ in the same fuel form, especially in molten salt reactors (MSRs). Therefore, thorium fuels need a fissile material as a ‘driver’ so that a chain reaction can be maintained. The only fissile driver options are U-233, U-235, or Pu-239, these are not easily available.

A basic design principle in thorium fuel systems is that of heterogeneous fuel arrangement, wherein a high fissile fuel zone called the seed region is physically separated from the fertile thorium part of the fuel known as blanket. Such an arrangement is better for supplying surplus neutrons to thorium nuclei so they can convert to fissile U-233. This principle applies to all the thorium-capable reactor systems. There are seven types of reactors into which thorium can be introduced as a nuclear fuel: Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTRs), Boiling (Light) Water Reactors (BWRs), Pressurized (Light) Water Reactors (PWRs), Fast Neutron Reactors (FNRs), Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), and Accelerator Driven Reactors (ADS).

A thorium fuel cycle offers several potential advantages over uranium fuel cycle. These include much greater abundance on earth, superior physical and nuclear fuel properties, and reduced nuclear waste production. Since 2008, nuclear energy experts have shown key interests in thorium to supply nuclear fuel in place of uranium in order to generate nuclear power. Thorium is key in developing a new generation of cleaner and safer nuclear power. Considering its overall potential, thorium-based power can mean a 1000+ year solution or a quality low-carbon bridge towards sustainable energy sources. This would help eradicate a large portion of the mankind’s negative environmental impact.

Research and development activities of thorium-based nuclear reactors are primarily being carried out in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Brazil, India, China, France, the Czech Republic, Japan, Russia, Canada, Israel, and the Netherlands. In 2013, Thorium Power Canada planned and proposed development of thorium power projects for Chile and Indonesia. India has one of the largest supplies of thorium in the world, with comparatively poor quantities of uranium. The country estimates to meet about 30% of the demand for electricity through thorium by 2050.

The major reactor manufacturing companies are General Electric, Mitsubshi Heavy Industries, Terrestrial Energy, Moltex Energy, ThorCon Power, Terra Power, Flibe Energy, Transatomic Power Corporation, Thor Energy

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.

Request TOC of the Report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=25868

About Us

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR’s experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

Contact Us

Transparency Market Research
90 State Street, Suite 700
Albany, NY 12207
Tel: +1-518-618-1030
USA – Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453
Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

This release was published on openPR.