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To: Wonder Warthog

Yes, many mistakes in the article - some pretty funny.

A LFTR needs U-233 to start the reaction, as I understand it. Then Thorium decay cycle maintains the reaction with a minimum of resulting actinides. Not really a burner fast neutron reactor.

The TE IMSR looks like it will use Uranium decay cycle, so more actinides. Good for burning “spent” fuel is the thinking I suppose.


30 posted on 01/31/2015 2:21:12 PM PST by frithguild (The warmth and goodness of Gaia is a nuclear reactor in the Earth's core that burns Thorium)
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To: frithguild
"A LFTR needs U-233 to start the reaction, as I understand it."

Any thorium-cycle reactor can use any fissile material that is available for startup....U-235, U-233, or Pu-238. The excess neutrons from that "starter fuel" then "breed" Th-232 into U-233, which continues the cycle until all Th has been converted and "burned".

31 posted on 01/31/2015 3:27:34 PM PST by Wonder Warthog (Newly fledged NRA Life Member (after many years as an "annual renewal" sort))
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