Dr. Kiki's Science Hour 84: The Nuclear Alternative

Host:Dr. Kiki
Ever wonder if there is a better way to do nuclear power? We find out with nuclear technologist Kirk Sorensen on this episode of Dr. Kiki's Science Hour.
Guests: Kirk Sorensen, Nuclear technologist of Energy from Thorium
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Running time: 58:47

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Science
• Technology
• Dr. Kiki
• Kirsten Sanford

[BlueAquaXS]

Great video Dr Kiki. Kirk Sorenson is my hero.

[clemrod3]

==> Just to recap more benefits of TFMSR’s:

* Affordable -- no high-pressure containment required; no thorium enrichment required; air cooled; no redundant cooling systems required; $10,000 annual fuel cost for 1GWe; .01 as much land area, and no buffer zone required

* Plentiful Fuel -- thorium is abundant (400% more than uranium); high energy density -- one ton of thorium equivalent to 200 tons of uranium, and to 3,500,000 tons of coal.

[BlenBlen]

@heaviside1618 More people die from cancers caused by solar radiation than from reactors. Solar is way more deadly.

Go nuclear!

[osimnod]

@heaviside1618 Should I be impressed that you can toss around the F-bomb or just pity you? I suspect the latter. As to Chernobyl, don't take my word for it, read for yourself or submit your own evidence to support your contention.

[heaviside1618]

@osimnod Hi, I'm sorry to comment on your 3 month old comment, but if you think you should use a dishonest argument like only 50 died as a direct result of Chernobyl, then you are a fucking fucked up idiot. You don't need to propagate a filthy fucking horrible lie like that to promote the benefits of MSR's.

[osimnod]

@fctchk -- I guess you missed the discussion of the impressive safety record of nuclear power plants compared to other industrial processes? More deaths this year (2011) alone from coal and natural gas explosions or accidents than in 30 years of commercial nuclear power. The WHO and IAEA confirmed that only 50 died as a direct result of Chernobyl; zero deaths from TMI; zero deaths from Fukushima. Chernobyl is being repopulated with abundant fauna and flora. Germany will rue the day. Gazprom.

[mizugawa]

Turning our back on fossil fuels means turning our backs on a bunch of nasty people who won¨t have it no matter what, even if they were to take the whole world to hell with them.

[MrNightLifeLover]

Would be great if anyone could do khanacademy style videos on nuclear tech.

[fctchk]

Whole lotta shameless nuke stroking going on here in complete disregard of the massive historical record of coverups, meltdowns, near meltdowns, escaping radiation, full scale disasters laying waste to landscapes and livelihoods. Do you need a Fukushima in your backyard, Dr.Kiki, to wake up?

Germany does not. They are fazing out nuclear.

[migkillertwo]

@clemrod3

well keep in mind, that "200 tons" of uranium is only if it's used in thermal spectrum reactors without a breeder blanket. In a fast reactor, however, Uranium has slightly more energy (reprocessing is harder with thorium uranium than uranium plutonium) than thorium.

[floofyproductions]

it keeps bugging me that they keep saying burn the fuel. nuclear fuel shouldn't ever burn it fissions.

[utubesqueeze]

Kirk Sorenson is a very good spokesperson for Thorium nuclear technology. I also applaud Dr Kiki for having him on. It's a shame they only touched on the many benefits of the technology. In terms of the main obstacles in the Western world for adopting this technology the crucial ones are: 1) regulatory (especially the US NRC), 2) efficiency of electricity from natural gas. On the other side, China has huge incentives and advantages to develop all nuclear technologies. So, they will lead the way!