UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 61 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Thorium Nuclear Fuel
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectScience and Technology
- TopicNuclear Technology
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?
1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Analysis
Thorium is considered important for India’s future nuclear energy strategy because India has large thorium reserves but limited high-grade uranium reserves.
Thorium also offers advantages in fuel efficiency and nuclear waste management.
Statement by statement
1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium — Correct
Thorium is more abundant in the Earth’s crust than uranium.
India has large thorium reserves, especially in monazite sands along coastal regions such as Kerala and Odisha.
2. Thorium can generate more energy per unit mass — Correct
Thorium-232 is a fertile material that can be converted into fissile Uranium-233.
In an efficient closed fuel cycle, thorium can generate more usable energy per unit mass than conventional uranium fuel.
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste — Correct
The thorium fuel cycle produces fewer long-lived transuranic elements compared to the uranium-plutonium cycle.
This makes its nuclear waste relatively less long-lived and less problematic, though it still requires careful handling.
Extra UPSC info
* India’s three-stage nuclear programme was designed by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha.
* Stage 1 uses natural uranium in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
* Stage 2 uses plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors.
* Stage 3 aims to use thorium and Uranium-233 for long-term nuclear power generation.
* Thorium itself is fertile, not fissile; it must be converted into Uranium-233.
* India’s thorium reserves are mainly found in monazite sands.
* Thorium fuel cycle is considered more proliferation-resistant due to the presence of Uranium-232 impurities.
How to crack it
Thorium is important for India because it is abundant, energy-efficient in a closed fuel cycle and produces comparatively less long-lived nuclear waste.
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