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Category: Liquid Fission Thorium Burner

  • Thorium Triumph: How China Is Shattering Myths and Powering the Future

    Thorium Triumph: How China Is Shattering Myths and Powering the Future

    Article by Jeremiah Josey, founder of The Thorium Network. Dated 13 December 2025

    The website whatisnuclear.com/thorium-myths.html presents a series of arguments that attempts to cast doubt on the viability and advantages of Thorium-based Fission technology. We won’t dwell on the psychological tactics used—such as answering a different question to the headline “myth” or relying on technical jargon to create an aura of authority. They’re unnecessary distractions. And we don’t need to. Recent developments, particularly in China, have decisively demonstrated that the supposed technical hurdles previously cited are not only surmountable but are actively being overcome. China’s progress in Thorium Liquid Fission Burner (LFTB) technology reveals a future where energy independence is not just a goal, but a reality that will reshape global energy dynamics.

    Addressing the “Myths” with Chinese Achievements

    • Myth #1: Thorium Burners were cancelled due to economics, not weapons.
      China’s Thorium Fission programme, launched in 2011 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has shown that with sustained investment and state support, economic barriers can be surpassed. The country has not only constructed a complete industrial supply chain for Thorium Fission machines but has also achieved the world’s first conversion of Thorium into uranium-233 within a their LFTB called “TMSR-LF1”. This achievement marks a pivotal step toward self-sustaining Fission cycles, driven by strategic energy security rather than mere economics. Link​
    • Myth #2: Thorium Burners never need enrichment.
      While initial fissile material is required to start the process, China’s TMSR-LF1 machine has successfully bred uranium-233 from Thorium, proving that self-sustaining cycles are achievable. This milestone is a major leap toward reducing dependence on enriched uranium, making Thorium Liquid Fission Burners a cornerstone of China’s long-term energy strategy. Link​
    • Myth #3: Thorium Burners cannot make bombs.
      The claim that Thorium Burners could be used to produce weapons-grade material is categorically false. The process of separating protactinium-233 from the fuel solution is technically complex, highly detectable, and practically impossible to achieve covertly. Moreover, the presence of uranium-232 and its intense gamma radiation makes handling and weaponisation not only hazardous but effectively unfeasible. China’s approach to Thorium Fission prioritises civilian energy and employs strict safeguards, ensuring that weaponisation is not a realistic concern. Link​
    • Myth #4: Thorium is more abundant, but that’s not important.
      China’s discovery of over 1 million tons of Thorium and the mapping of 233 Thorium-rich zones highlight its strategic significance for energy security. For a country with limited uranium, Thorium’s abundance is not just important—it is essential. China’s road map targets commercial deployment by 2029, aiming to secure energy independence for hundreds of thousands of years. This will dramatically reduce China’s reliance on fossil fuels and lead to a significant decline in global demand for coal and oil. Link
    • Myth #5: Thorium Burners don’t uniquely make safer waste.
      China’s TMSR produces far fewer long-lived transuranic elements, and its waste decays much faster than that of conventional Fission machines. The technical capability for online fission product removal and passive safety is being proven in real-world operation, making Thorium Liquid Fission Burners a leader in reducing Fission waste hazards. Link
    • Myth #6: Thorium Burners and molten salt machines are the same thing.
      China’s programme combines both, but the advances in metallurgy and materials—such as the development of specialised alloys for molten salt environments—are critical. The United States historically restricted sales of Hasteloy N, a key material for liquid fission machines, to control technology spread. China has now overcome this by developing its own high-performance alloys, supported by Australia ensuring supply chain independence and technological leadership. Link

    China’s Energy Independence and Global Impact

    China’s Thorium Fission programme is not just about technological advancement; it is about energy independence for hundreds of thousands of years. The end of fossil fuels for China is in sight, and considering the country’s massive energy consumption, this will lead to a dramatic decline in global demand for coal and oil. China’s progress in Liquid Fission Thorium Burner technology is setting a new benchmark for advanced energy solutions worldwide, with the potential to transform global energy markets and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Link

    Australia’s Role in Supporting China

    Australia has played a crucial role in supporting China’s Thorium Fission ambitions. Under the leadership of Professor Adi Paterson, Australia has become a key partner in the development and supply of Thorium and advanced materials for Liquid Fission Machines. This collaboration not only strengthens bilateral relations but also positions Australia as a vital contributor to the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions. Link​

    China’s achievements in Thorium Fission Burner technology have decisively refuted the notion that Thorium-based Fission is impractical or hindered by insurmountable technical challenges. The technical hurdles cited by critics globally are being overcome, and China’s progress is setting a new benchmark for advanced energy solutions worldwide. The future of energy is not just about technological innovation but about strategic independence and global sustainability. Link

    ​References

    Debunking this article: https://whatisnuclear.com/thorium-myths.html

    Tags

    #China #LiquidFissionThoriumBurners #LFTB #Thorium #Fission

    Credits

    Credits to the respective contributors to this article, including Discovery Alert for the images.

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  • Japan Finally Shakes Off Its Nuclear Fear — and Thorium Is Waiting in the Wings

    Japan Finally Shakes Off Its Nuclear Fear — and Thorium Is Waiting in the Wings

    Article by Jeremiah Josey, founder of The Thorium Network

    A big sigh of relief as Japan finally kicks out the western phobia of clean, safe #fission energy. It’s taken 14 years but they’ve made it.

    No one died from the minor incident that occurred at #TEPCO‘s #Fukushima #Daiichi #Nuclear Power Plant when the wave of water hit them on 11 March 2011. Yet the world shivered under their collective blankets when the lights went out on that bed time evening those many moons ago.

    Japan has now found their torch – powered by #uranium and #plutonium – and again today they bravely find their way to the toilet in the middle of the night. The west seems intent on using bedpans…

    There’s a silver lining to this story even brighter than the fission future Japan is turning back on. And that silver is Thorium. Just a few miles away, #China has been steadfast producing reliable secure Thorium energy for almost as long. And Japan is noticing.

    Without the fanfare of hype from both sides.

    🇯🇵 Japan’s Thorium Awakening: Inside Their Molten‑Salt Ambitions

    Japan’s next-gen nuclear vision isn’t just about restarting reactors — it’s about rethinking what fission energy can be. While others fretted, Japan quietly doubled down on research that could transform nuclear safety, waste, and abundance.

    At the heart of this is a Liquid Fission Thorium burner (LFTB) ambition.

    1. Some MSR & Thorium Roots in Japan

    • Japan’s research into MSRs actually has historical depth: IAEA‑sponsored work has looked at Th–233U cycles for molten salt reactors, including their use for transuranic waste reduction.

    • At Kyoto University and other Japanese institutions, there have been proposals to build molten salt reactors using Thorium, such as the FUJI Molten Salt Reactor.

    • According to Mitsui Strategic Studies, Japan is re-evaluating liquid fission as a technology for sustainable domestic resources.

    Bottom line: Japan’s Thorium‑LFTB work is real.

    2. Partnerships & Research Focus

    Japanese research institutions (universities, national labs) are exploring critical MSR‑related technologies, like:

    • Neutronic modeling of Th‑232 → U-233 cycles

    • Materials that resist corrosion in hot molten salts

    • Reactor vessel designs optimised for safety in earthquake-prone regions

    • Online salt circulation and reprocessing concepts.

    These partnerships help lay the foundation for a future Thorium-based industry.

    3. Conceptual Thorium Burner for Waste Recycling

    One of the most attractive ideas in Japanese MSR research is using Thorium‑salt reactors to burn transuranic waste (plutonium and other actinides) produced by conventional light-water reactors. This would:

    • Reduce long-lived nuclear waste

    • Generate clean energy

    • Operate at low pressure, improving safety (no risk of steam‑pressure explosions)

    • Use passive safety features.

    🇨🇳 China’s Thorium LFTB: The Quiet Competitor

    While Japan is preparing, China is already moving.

    • Their TMSR‑LF1 liquid fission machine (2 MW thermal) received an operating licence in June 2023.

    • This reactor achieved first criticality on October 11, 2023.

    • In November 2025, SINAP (Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics) announced the first successful conversion of Thorium to uranium fuel inside this machine, with a conversion ratio of 10%.

    • The TMSR‑LF1 design uses a fuel mix including under‑20% enriched uranium-235 and about 50 kg.

    Message us if you want to see more detail about the efforts of these countries into Liquid Fission Thorium Burner technology – without doubt the best thing ever for humanity and our precious planet earth.

    You can see the original article that promoted our work here on our Telegram channel:

    https://t.me/c/1884139551/13305

    And here on our Linkedin Page:

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/japan-finally-shakes-off-its-nuclear-fear-thorium-waiting-wm9ye

    And the Tokyo AFP news post here:

    https://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Worlds_biggest_nuclear_plant_edges_closer_to_restart_999.html