Article
Recent Research of Thorium Molten-Salt Reactor from a Sustainability Viewpoint
Research Institute for Applied Sciences, 49, Tanaka-Oi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8202, Japan
Received: 3 July 2012; in revised form: 20 August 2012 / Accepted: 24 August 2012 / Published: 27 September 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Nuclear Energy)
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Abstract: The
most important target of the concept “sustainability” is to achieve
fairness between generations. Its expanding interpolation leads to
achieve fairness within a generation. Thus, it is necessary to discuss
the role of nuclear power from the viewpoint of this definition. The
history of nuclear power has been the control of the nuclear fission
reaction. Once this is obtained, then the economy of the system is
required. On the other hand, it is also necessary to consider the
internalization of the external diseconomy to avoid damage to human
society caused by the economic activity itself, due to its limited
capacity. An extreme example is waste. Thus, reducing radioactive waste
resulting from nuclear power is essential. Nuclear non-proliferation
must be guaranteed. Moreover, the FUKUSHIMA accident revealed that it is
still not enough that human beings control nuclear reaction. Further,
the most essential issue for sustaining use of one technology is human
resources in manufacturing, operation, policy-making and education.
Nuclear power will be able to satisfy the requirements of sustainability
only when these subjects are addressed. The author will review recent
activities of a thorium molten-salt reactor (MSR) as a cornerstone for a
sustainable society and describe its objectives and forecasts.
Keywords: thorium; molten-salt reactor; rare earth; externality; small modular reactor
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