One known problem is that sometimes some one forgets to close a valve, and that kind of incident can be solved with greater automation and electronic monitoring. In some cases, radiation is leaked because pipes are buried underground and cannot be checked for leaks; but you could put them where they can be inspected. If that isn't astounding enough, sometimes radiation is leaked because parts aren't inspected enough even though the nuclear power plants could have stricter protocols.
Then there is the problem of meltdowns. Thorium has been known to be a fissile material usable for nuclear power since the 1950s. Scientists also know that thorium reactors can't melt down because they require a continuous particle beam to split and produce much less nuclear waste. Thorium reactors use a particle beam to keep them going, so the process can be stopped as soon as excess heat from the core is observed. The core can be de-activated long after other radionuclides would cause a melt down. Despite these stunning advantages of thorium as a nuclear fuel, it has received little funding because it is not practical for the development of weapons.
Sources claim thorium is estimated to be three to four times as abundant as uranium. The deepest mine is almost 5km deep, and the Earth's crust is 30-50km thick and 60% silicon dioxide with the Earth's mantle being 2890km thick and 21% silicon. Silicon is the primary material for the construction of solar cells, and the technical challenges for mining at further depths have already been solved. Furthermore, silicon certainly isn't the only resource down there. Dig deep enough, and there are mind-boggling amounts of all metals if you can survey them.
Then there is the problem of meltdowns. Thorium has been known to be a fissile material usable for nuclear power since the 1950s. Scientists also know that thorium reactors can't melt down because they require a continuous particle beam to split and produce much less nuclear waste. Thorium reactors use a particle beam to keep them going, so the process can be stopped as soon as excess heat from the core is observed. The core can be de-activated long after other radionuclides would cause a melt down. Despite these stunning advantages of thorium as a nuclear fuel, it has received little funding because it is not practical for the development of weapons.
Sources claim thorium is estimated to be three to four times as abundant as uranium. The deepest mine is almost 5km deep, and the Earth's crust is 30-50km thick and 60% silicon dioxide with the Earth's mantle being 2890km thick and 21% silicon. Silicon is the primary material for the construction of solar cells, and the technical challenges for mining at further depths have already been solved. Furthermore, silicon certainly isn't the only resource down there. Dig deep enough, and there are mind-boggling amounts of all metals if you can survey them.
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/06/21-5
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-06-pint-sized-particle-nuclear-energy.html
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