Thorium Fuelled Car (Yes, you read that right)
Discussion
http://www.industrytap.com/thorium-fueled-automobi...
[quote]Current models of the engine weigh 500 pounds, easily fitting into the engine area of a conventionally-designed vehicle. According to CEO Charles Stevens, just one gram of the substance yields more energy than 7,396 gallons (28,000 L) of gasoline and 8 grams would power the typical car for a century.
The idea of using thorium is not new. In 2009, Loren Kulesus designed the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept Car. LPS is developing the technology so it can be mass-produced.
[/quote]
Okay it's not likely to get much traction in detroit or the west midlands for now, but this is pretty cool nonetheless. Thorium reactors are real, are actually that size, and are really that safe - making this a mature enough technology to consider.
[quote]Current models of the engine weigh 500 pounds, easily fitting into the engine area of a conventionally-designed vehicle. According to CEO Charles Stevens, just one gram of the substance yields more energy than 7,396 gallons (28,000 L) of gasoline and 8 grams would power the typical car for a century.
The idea of using thorium is not new. In 2009, Loren Kulesus designed the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept Car. LPS is developing the technology so it can be mass-produced.
[/quote]
Okay it's not likely to get much traction in detroit or the west midlands for now, but this is pretty cool nonetheless. Thorium reactors are real, are actually that size, and are really that safe - making this a mature enough technology to consider.
Thorium is good for reactors and only was passed over by uranium because of the design effort went into early plutonium producing reactors for weapons and power generating reactors developed from them.
However, it's still a fission reactor. How are you going to have enough shielding to stop the neutron flux from killing the passengers ?
2 MeV neutrons need quite a bit.
The main advantage of thorium is that it's more plentiful, and does not produce plutonium. Actually the thorium isotope is actually turned into uranium 233 which is the actual fissile isotope so it's still a normal thermal fission reactor at the end of the day.
However, it's still a fission reactor. How are you going to have enough shielding to stop the neutron flux from killing the passengers ?
2 MeV neutrons need quite a bit.
The main advantage of thorium is that it's more plentiful, and does not produce plutonium. Actually the thorium isotope is actually turned into uranium 233 which is the actual fissile isotope so it's still a normal thermal fission reactor at the end of the day.
Edited by Gary C on Thursday 19th December 21:16
ks.As a child I was certain that "Mr. Fusion" would be realised by the time I grew up. Automotive bliss would be powered by stale lager and banana skins. I would be able to hoon down deserted roads or fly off on a whim...
The reality is the roads are packed to the brim with arschlochs and I have to pay though the nose to use essentially 200 year old technology, which definitely never leaves the ground.
The reality is the roads are packed to the brim with arschlochs and I have to pay though the nose to use essentially 200 year old technology, which definitely never leaves the ground.
I am always amazed at the depth of expertise and knowledge among PH members concerning real high intellect stuff, its makes great reading, and I sometimes learn some unusual things from some really clever people.
Which makes me feel quite humble, as the only thing I could teach anyone, is how to make farting noises with their hands.
Which makes me feel quite humble, as the only thing I could teach anyone, is how to make farting noises with their hands.
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