[GrandJediMasterYoda]

It’ll be perfectly save and won’t crash just like Microsoft windows.

[BlueStateRightist]

The words “nuclear” and “atomic” in any application triggers an automatic rejection by the Marxist computers..

[Da Coyote]

Sorry, but Gates has only slightly more technical competence than does the Algore manbearthing.

Who gives a smelly Obama what the *%#@ that crook businessman thinks?

[Zathras]

Clearly written by someone who is reading off a power point foil.

1) All current fission reactors use U238. It needs to be enriched to 5-10% U235 to sustain critical opperation.
2) Breeders using Sodium coolant have been tried before.
The neutron flux isn’t high enough to create Pu239 in any serious quantity.
3) If we can’t get a stupid pipeline approved, the chances are zero of getting a breeder approved.

[rktman]

Pretty big facility just to power his house. Running lynux?

[ckilmer]

Its helpful here to know that Norway has been testing thorium for the last year. Their test results have been leaked to several countries including the USA.
http://nuclear-news.net/2013/09/12/scandal-norways-ngo-bellona-uncovers-secret-nuclear-deals-at-the-experimental-thorium-reactor-complex-in-norway/

Its also helpful to know that Babcox and Wilcox makes the nuclear reactors for for US submarines.

Gates’ team has recently modified their reactor so that its not a traveling wave reactor but a standing wave reactor
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/bill-gates-stops-chasing-nuclear-wave-pursues-variety-of-reactors/

That may be because his team has been showing up at thorium power events.
http://www.the-weinberg-foundation.org/2013/07/23/bill-gates-nuclear-company-explores-molten-salt-reactors-thorium/

Gates wants to have prototype developed in 10 years. Hard to say where they’ll do the prototype. Might be in china.

This confluence of events may be why China pushed forward its development time of their thorium reactor as well to 10 years out. A China official quoted in this article says: “”This is definitely a race,” said Li. China “faces fierce competition from overseas and to get there first will not be an easy task”, he said.” http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1452011/chinese-scientists-urged-develop-new-thorium-nuclear-reactors-2024
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ambroseevans-pritchard/100026863/china-going-for-broke-on-thorium-nuclear-power-and-good-luck-to-them/

[mulligan]

That would be good for America. Hope it happens.

[headstamp 2]

Sodium? isn’t that quite corrosive?

[JohnBovenmyer]

The physics may be safer, but is the chemistry? When this old chem major sees liquid sodium and water both in the recipe I get nervous. Do we have proven engineering to keep them separate for the lengthy life cycle of the reactor, including during maintenance operations and during those theoretical emergencies about which they brag of their low nuclear risks? Can the engineering tolerate high radiation environments that long without degrading? I also worry about dealing with the fluorine in liquid thorium reactors. Like sodium, it's pretty reactive stuff.

I took my chem major to med school, not the chemical industry; I know some problems, but not their solutions. I suspect and hope good ones have existed for decades and that suitable experts review the designs. I can't be the only one with such concerns. I wish that reviews touting these 'unfamiliar' (they really don't deserve the label 'new') designs at least briefly mentioned chemical safety. Perhaps providing links to more detailed discussions for those interested.

I want one or more innovative nuclear designs to succeed and fuel future prosperity. But I don't want any problems the green media could blow up. They can do more harm than physics or chemistry.

[clearcarbon]

Sodium cooled breeder reactors were a Nixonian solution to generate electrical power “too cheap to meter.” Looks like that wheel’s spun back to that position again.