Thorium in a car engine

    Scientists from the research company Laser Power Systems are working on a new turbo-generator, which is driven by the so-called “thorium laser” ( MaxFelaser ), in fact it is not a laser, but simply a fuel assembly.

    Thorium (Th) is a radioactive chemical element, the first member of the actinoid family (atomic number 90, melting point 2028 ° K). The presence of a radioactive element in the heart of a car is a concept well known from science fiction works of 50 years ago: they almost unanimously painted the future of mankind at mini-nuclear power plants, which will become “eternal” power sources for a wide variety of mobile devices, including cars. But here we have not science fiction, but an almost real commercial project.

    The new turbogenerator is based on a simple principle. Thorium generates heat, which drives the car’s turbine engine. Engineers have already made a sample of such an engine based on the Tesla turbine . According to the assurances of scientists, eight grams of thorium is enough for 480 thousand kilometers of the car. Thus, after buying a car you do not need to refuel even once - one factory “charge” is enough for the entire service life.


    Estimation of world reserves of thorium

    According to the inventor and founder of Laser Power Systems, a thorium engine will produce about 250 kW (335 hp), and the unit will weigh about 230 kg, which is quite acceptable for installation on modern passenger cars.

    It should be noted that this is not the first attempt to use thorium as automobile fuel. Back at the 2009 Chicago Motor Show, Cadillac showed the World Thorium Fuel Concept (pictured).



    via Wards Auto

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