China to build first-ever thorium molten salt nuclear power station in Gobi Desert

China to build first -ever thorium molten salt nuclear power station in Gobi Desert .

Molten salt reactors are considered "inherently safer" than traditional water-cooled reactors.

They use molten salt as the fuel carrier and coolant, and thorium as a fuel source.

Construction on the research facility is due to start next year with operation expected in 2030 .

The Chinese researchers have had at least some success in overcoming the technical challenges that have made TMSRs unviable in the past.

They include the corrosive nature of the radioactive superheated salts and the difficulties involved in achieving fission with thorium, which is fertile rather than fissile.

Nuclear engineer Tony Irwin , an honorary associate professor at the Australian National University , said the TMSR was an "interesting technology that's got a lot of potential" Professor Irwin said molten salt reactors were still too far away to consider for Australia .

"But it misses the point that there are lots of ways of skinning the nuclear cat, and if countries would just have the patience to invest for a decade or so , then the solutions will come. "After all, finding a green solution for electricity (and heat and hydrogen) is a multi-generational task, so waiting five to 10 years to find a good path forward is nothing.".