I think the question is mostly related to molten thorium fluoride reactors; Relevant discussion is belowFlexwheeler said:Summary: Has there been a functioning molten salt reactor or how far has the development of one reached? By who?
Has there been a functioning molten salt reactor or how far has the development of one reached? By who?
A Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is a type of nuclear reactor that uses liquid fuel in the form of molten salt instead of solid fuel rods. The fuel is typically a mixture of uranium and thorium fluorides, and the salt is kept at high temperatures to keep it in a liquid state.
In a Molten Salt Reactor, the liquid fuel is pumped through tubes in the reactor core, where it is heated by nuclear reactions. The heated salt then flows through a heat exchanger, where it transfers its heat to a secondary loop of salt or water, which then produces steam to power a turbine and generate electricity.
There are several advantages to using a Molten Salt Reactor. One is that the liquid fuel allows for better control and regulation of the nuclear reactions, making it safer and more efficient. Additionally, the MSR can use thorium as a fuel source, which is more abundant and produces less nuclear waste than traditional reactors using uranium.
One potential drawback of a Molten Salt Reactor is the high operating temperatures required, which can be challenging to maintain. Additionally, the corrosive nature of the molten salt can be a concern for the materials used in the reactor. There may also be challenges in scaling up the technology for commercial use.
Currently, there are no commercial Molten Salt Reactors in operation. However, there have been several research and development projects in different countries, including the United States, China, and Canada. Some of these projects aim to have a demonstration MSR operating within the next decade.