Accelerate He ions on to Thorium

In summary, while it may be possible to produce protactinium from thorium using accelerated He ions, it is not a viable or efficient approach compared to other methods such as neutron capture.
  • #1
edpell
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Can we breed protactinium from thorium by hitting it with accelerated He ions?
 
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  • #2
edpell said:
Can we breed protactinium from thorium by hitting it with accelerated He ions?
If one induces an (alpha, p) reaction, then one could produce Pa. However, it would be much easier to produce Pa with neutron capture in Th-232, which becomes Th-233, which decays to Pa-233, which decays to U-233, which is fissile.

See the attached for nuclides of Th, Pa, and U.
 

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  • #3


It is highly unlikely that breeding protactinium from thorium can be achieved by hitting it with accelerated He ions. The process of breeding involves the production of a heavier element from a lighter one through a series of nuclear reactions. While it is possible to produce protactinium by bombarding thorium with neutrons, using accelerated He ions would not be an effective method. Additionally, the energy and cost required for this process would likely outweigh any potential benefits. It is important to consider the feasibility and practicality of such methods before proposing them.
 

1. What is the purpose of accelerating He ions onto Thorium?

The purpose of accelerating He ions onto Thorium is to initiate a nuclear reaction that produces useful energy. This process is known as nuclear fusion and is a potential source of clean and sustainable energy.

2. How are the He ions accelerated onto Thorium?

The He ions are accelerated using a particle accelerator, which uses electric fields to increase the speed of the particles. The accelerated He ions are then directed towards the Thorium target using magnetic fields.

3. What are the benefits of using Thorium as a target for He ions?

Thorium is a naturally occurring element that is more abundant and easier to obtain than other nuclear fuels such as uranium. It also produces less radioactive waste and has a lower risk of nuclear accidents.

4. Are there any potential risks or drawbacks to accelerating He ions onto Thorium?

While the use of Thorium as a nuclear fuel has many benefits, there are also some potential risks to consider. The process of accelerating He ions onto Thorium must be carefully controlled to avoid potential radiation leaks or accidents. Additionally, the waste produced from this process may still be radioactive and require proper disposal.

5. Is accelerating He ions onto Thorium a viable form of energy production?

While research and development into using Thorium as a nuclear fuel is ongoing, it is not currently a widely used source of energy production. However, many scientists and experts believe that with further advancements, it could become a viable and sustainable source of energy in the future.

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