Thorium was discovered in 1828 by the Swedish chemist Jons J. Berzelius. Despite some advantages over uranium for use in nuclear reactors, its main use, in the almost two centuries since its discovery, thorium was res...Thorium was discovered in 1828 by the Swedish chemist Jons J. Berzelius. Despite some advantages over uranium for use in nuclear reactors, its main use, in the almost two centuries since its discovery, thorium was restricted to use for gas mantles, especially in the early 20th century. In the beginning of the nuclear era, many countries had interested on thorium, particularly during the 1950-1970 period. There are about 435 nuclear reactors in the world nowadays. They need more than 65,000 tons of uranium yearly. The future world energy needs will increase and, even if we assumed a conservative contribution of nuclear generation, there will be a significant increasing in the uranium prices occur, taking into account that uranium, as used in the present thermal reactors, is a finite resource. Thorium is nearly three times more abundant than uranium in the Earth＇s crust. Despite thorium is not a fissile material, ^232Th can be converted to ^233U （fissile） more efficiently than ^238U to ^239pu. Besides this, since it is possible to convert thorium waste into non-radioactive elements, thorium is an environment-friendly alternative energy source. Thorium fuel cycle is also inherently resistant to proliferation. Some papers evaluate the thorium resources in Brazil over 1,200,000 metric t. Then, the thorium alternative must be seriously considered in Brazil for strategic reasons. In this paper a brief history of thorium is presented, besides a review of the world thorium utilization and a discussion about advantages and restrictions of thorium use.展开更多
The American and British war against Iraq started on March 20, 2003 not only caused heavy casualties and ecological environmental disasters but also exerted impact on regional and world security, stability and develop...The American and British war against Iraq started on March 20, 2003 not only caused heavy casualties and ecological environmental disasters but also exerted impact on regional and world security, stability and development. Even so the war is a local war, and it is unlikely.展开更多
Energy issue is of strategic importance influencing China’s overall economic and social development that needs systematic planning and far-sighted deliberation.At the present time the revolution of energy technology ...Energy issue is of strategic importance influencing China’s overall economic and social development that needs systematic planning and far-sighted deliberation.At the present time the revolution of energy technology is advancing rapidly.The global innovation of energy technology has entered a highly dynamic period featured by multi-point breakthroughs,展开更多
Currently,the fundamental judgment that China remains in an important period of strategic opportunities for its development has not changed,however new changes have taken place in the nature and the conditions of this...Currently,the fundamental judgment that China remains in an important period of strategic opportunities for its development has not changed,however new changes have taken place in the nature and the conditions of this period.On a higher starting point of development,China is faced with unprecedented opportunities for development as well as challenges unknown before.展开更多
文摘Thorium was discovered in 1828 by the Swedish chemist Jons J. Berzelius. Despite some advantages over uranium for use in nuclear reactors, its main use, in the almost two centuries since its discovery, thorium was restricted to use for gas mantles, especially in the early 20th century. In the beginning of the nuclear era, many countries had interested on thorium, particularly during the 1950-1970 period. There are about 435 nuclear reactors in the world nowadays. They need more than 65,000 tons of uranium yearly. The future world energy needs will increase and, even if we assumed a conservative contribution of nuclear generation, there will be a significant increasing in the uranium prices occur, taking into account that uranium, as used in the present thermal reactors, is a finite resource. Thorium is nearly three times more abundant than uranium in the Earth＇s crust. Despite thorium is not a fissile material, ^232Th can be converted to ^233U （fissile） more efficiently than ^238U to ^239pu. Besides this, since it is possible to convert thorium waste into non-radioactive elements, thorium is an environment-friendly alternative energy source. Thorium fuel cycle is also inherently resistant to proliferation. Some papers evaluate the thorium resources in Brazil over 1,200,000 metric t. Then, the thorium alternative must be seriously considered in Brazil for strategic reasons. In this paper a brief history of thorium is presented, besides a review of the world thorium utilization and a discussion about advantages and restrictions of thorium use.
文摘The American and British war against Iraq started on March 20, 2003 not only caused heavy casualties and ecological environmental disasters but also exerted impact on regional and world security, stability and development. Even so the war is a local war, and it is unlikely.
文摘Energy issue is of strategic importance influencing China’s overall economic and social development that needs systematic planning and far-sighted deliberation.At the present time the revolution of energy technology is advancing rapidly.The global innovation of energy technology has entered a highly dynamic period featured by multi-point breakthroughs,
文摘Currently,the fundamental judgment that China remains in an important period of strategic opportunities for its development has not changed,however new changes have taken place in the nature and the conditions of this period.On a higher starting point of development,China is faced with unprecedented opportunities for development as well as challenges unknown before.
