Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : What is Thorium -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Yorikke who wrote (763)	7/14/2009 4:45:34 PM
From: russet	Respond to of 912

newswire.ca AECL signs agreement with China to assess use of thorium fuel in CANDU reactors PINGHU, China, July 14 /CNW/ - Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has signed an agreement with China's Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Company (TQNPC), China North Nuclear Fuel Corporation (CNNFC) and Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) to cooperate in assessing the use of thorium fuel in CANDU(R) power reactors. The agreement is to jointly develop and demonstrate the use of thorium fuel and to study the commercial and technical feasibility of its full-scale use in CANDU reactors such as the twin CANDU 6 units built at Qinshan III, located southwest of Shanghai. As the nuclear renaissance gathers momentum, more and more countries are seeking alternative fuel options. Uranium and thorium are the basic materials for nuclear fission energy. However, thorium is three to four times more abundant than uranium and is widely distributed in nature as an easily exploitable resource in many countries such as China and India. Canadian Consul General Nadir Patel witnessed the signing ceremony between representatives of AECL, TQNPC, NPIC and CNNFC. The ceremony was held at the conclusion of a two-day technical seminar on Enhanced CANDU 6 and thorium fuel. "This is another milestone in the four-party cooperation on development, demonstration and deployment of advanced CANDU thorium fuel in China", said Mr. Dakuan Li, General Manager of TQNPC. This new agreement is phase two of a cooperation agreement signed in November 2008 that focused on demonstrating the use of recovered uranium in a CANDU Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). First stage of the agreement, to be completed by October 31, 2009, is a joint feasibility study to examine the economic feasibility of the thorium proposal. "CANDU nuclear technology has the potential to make a major contribution to reducing China's dependence on imported nuclear fuel resources by utilizing abundant domestic thorium resources", stated AECL's Vice President of Product Development Jerry Hopwood. "This signing marks the initiation of an important step to demonstrate the use of thorium fuel in commercial CANDU reactors." CANDU PHWR technology offers clear advantages over other reactor technologies in using thorium fuel. AECL has investigated thorium fuels for over 50 years, including tests in a prototype CANDU power reactor in Canada, with very promising results. About the EC6 The Enhanced CANDU 6(R) (EC6) is a Generation III 740 MWe heavy water-cooled, heavy water-moderated, natural-uranium fuelled pressure tube reactor retaining the proven features of the CANDU 6 design while incorporating design and safety improvements to ensure that the safety, operation and performance of the Enhanced CANDU 6 meet modern international standards. About AECL Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a full service nuclear technology company providing services to nuclear utilities around the world. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology including the CANDU 6, one of the world's top-performing reactors. AECL's 5,000 employees deliver cutting edge nuclear services, R&D support, design, and engineering, construction management, specialized technology, refurbishment, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products. More information on AECL and CANDU reactor technology can be found at www.aecl.ca. For further information: Dale Coffin, Director, Corporate Communications, AECL, (905) 403-7457