Harnessing thorium for nuclear power: challenges ahead

There are several barriers to rapid growth of nuclear power. These arise as a result of concerns related to possible disasters arising out of severe accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, nuclear weapons proliferation, long term radioactive waste disposal etc. It is well known that use of thorium can actually address several of these concerns in a significant way. With developments in nuclear fuel technology, it is now possible to realise these gains through the use of thorium-LEU mixed fuel even in existing reactor systems without losing out too much on energy output from mined uranium in comparison to contemporary uranium fuelled reactor systems. Thorium thus offers an opportunity to facilitate a more rapid growth even with existing proven nuclear reactor designs while evolution of more optimum specific thorium reactor designs takes place. India with its experience base with thorium, while moving ahead with her domestic programme to evolve thorium reactor technology, could do well to facilitate growth of nuclear power through the use of thorium in currently established nuclear reactor designs. The presentation would discuss some of these possibilities