MAIN THORIUM ORES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR THE NUCLEAR AREA. Aline Viana de Morais, Hélio Jeremias

Abstract

This article discuss the viability of generating  nuclear power  by using thorium in thermal breeder reactors  to create fuel elements. Thorium has a high yield of neutrons, which is desirable in nuclear chain reactions. This technology makes it possible to increase the life of the nuclear fuel and has the potential to reduce their manufacturing costs, compared to current costs of nuclear fuel produced from uranium or recycled plutonium and uranium. Among other features, thorium is notable for being fertile, presenting irradiation stability and recyclability. The use of this fuel is associated with sustainability in industrial regenerators and also decreases the required amount of uranium for nuclear energy production.  New types of reactors that use thorium as fuel have better security compared to current reactors that use enriched uranium fuel elements, because, among other security measures, it works at atmospheric pressure.