{"id":660,"date":"2023-11-14T10:35:25","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T10:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/?page_id=660"},"modified":"2025-01-14T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T12:35:37","slug":"hva-brukes-de-til","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/hva-brukes-de-til\/","title":{"rendered":"Thorium energikilde &#038; industriell bruk"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"660\" class=\"elementor elementor-660\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-161e9be1 tsection tsection1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"161e9be1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bbb4a68 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5bbb4a68\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20b4594a elementor-absolute elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20b4594a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Thorium energikilde &#038; industriell bruk<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e170d02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e170d02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1438\" height=\"999\" src=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Thorium-og-mineraler-bruk.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1662\" alt=\"Illustrasjon som viser at det forskes p\u00e5 ulike former for bruk av thorium i dag.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Thorium-og-mineraler-bruk.png 1438w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Thorium-og-mineraler-bruk-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Thorium-og-mineraler-bruk-1024x711.png 1024w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Thorium-og-mineraler-bruk-768x534.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1438px) 100vw, 1438px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2683040 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2683040\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c076d38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c076d38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is thorium used for?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b176dbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b176dbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Thorium is an energy mineral on a par with coal, crude oil and uranium, but also has several possible uses in an industrial context.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-725d508e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"725d508e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-665d1318 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"665d1318\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"clabel\">Author: <\/span>Tor Espen Simonsen<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e95c845 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e95c845\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"clabel\">Published: <\/span>14 Nov, 2023<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73fd93f6 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"73fd93f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">-<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-153ce731 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"153ce731\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"clabel\">Updated: <\/span>14 Jan, 2025<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f203997 tsection tsection3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f203997\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4251bc7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4251bc7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Fen Complex at Ulefoss and S\u00e6ter\u00e5sen north of Larvik is often mentioned as the thorium deposits in Norway with the greatest potential. For a number of years, The Fen Complex was listed as a thorium resource by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).<\/p><p>Today, no one believes in a thorium mine on the Fen Complex, but if mining operations are started with rare earths as the main product, thorium will follow as a possible <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips18'><a href='https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/glossary\/biprodukt\/' target='_blank'>byproduct*<\/a><\/span>. \u00a0<\/p><p><b>Read more:\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/om-sjeldne-jordarter\/\">Rare earths are most relevant in the Fen Complex.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a865bcb tsection tsection2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a865bcb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55f4f626 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"55f4f626\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59480eac elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59480eac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Read the short version of this text: <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a2d740c elementor-widget elementor-widget-jet-unfold\" data-id=\"2a2d740c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;unfold_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;mask_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;mask_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;mask_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;unfold_easing&quot;:&quot;easeOutBack&quot;,&quot;fold_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;fold_easing&quot;:&quot;easeOutSine&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"jet-unfold.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold\" data-settings=\"{&quot;height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separatorHeight&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;unfoldDuration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;foldDuration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;unfoldEasing&quot;:&quot;easeOutBack&quot;,&quot;foldEasing&quot;:&quot;easeOutSine&quot;,&quot;foldScrolling&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;hideOutsideClick&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;autoHide&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;autoHideTime&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;foldScrollOffset&quot;:null}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__mask\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__content-inner elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><ul><li>Energy: Thorium is an alternative energy mineral, comparable to coal, crude oil and uranium.<\/li><li>Industrial: Used in alloys, high temperature ceramics, catalysts, welding electrodes, etc.<\/li><li>\u00a0Nevertheless, research is also being done on non-radioactive substitutes for thorium in several traditional areas of use.<\/li><li>Important deposits on the Fen Complex and S\u00e6ter\u00e5sen.<\/li><li>Mining for thorium is not relevant; but thorium becomes a by-product in the extraction of rare earths.<\/li><li>Use for energy production is still at the research stage, without commercial reactors. Thorium reactors are considered safer than uranium reactors; no plutonium in the waste.<\/li><li>Safety aspect: Thorium is radioactive.<\/li><li>Environmental impact: Thorium-based reactors do not produce plutonium.<\/li><li>New areas of use: Research is ongoing into the use of thorium in medical equipment and energy production.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__trigger\"><div class=\"jet-unfold__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\" href=\"#\" data-unfold-text=\"Les mer\" data-fold-text=\"Se mindre\" data-fold-icon=\"&lt;svg aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; class=&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 448 512&quot; xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\" data-unfold-icon=\"&lt;svg aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; class=&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 448 512&quot; xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"jet-unfold__button-icon jet-tricks-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"jet-unfold__button-text\">Read more:<\/span><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6196f6b1 tsection tsection4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6196f6b1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2f78b8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c2f78b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dcfbc90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4dcfbc90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rectangle-11546.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-257\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52b3535a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"52b3535a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/uran-og-thorium-illustrasjon.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-987\" alt=\"Illustrasjon som viser uran og thorium sammen.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/uran-og-thorium-illustrasjon.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/uran-og-thorium-illustrasjon-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/uran-og-thorium-illustrasjon-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/uran-og-thorium-illustrasjon-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31c9df90 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"31c9df90\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ff474ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3ff474ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">An alternative to uranium<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-797c5457 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"797c5457\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Energy minerals refer to natural geological raw materials that can be converted into energy, and include both fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil and natural gas, as well as minerals that are raw materials for nuclear energy, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngu.no\/geologiske-ressurser\/energimineraler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NGU<\/a>.<\/p><p>As an energy mineral, thorium is often launched as a safer alternative to uranium i <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips16'><a href='https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/glossary\/kjernekraft\/' target='_blank'>nuclear power*<\/a><\/span>. According to the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), thorium <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngu.no\/geologiske-ressurser\/thorium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">does not undergo fission like uranium and cannot behave in the same uncontrolled manner as a nuclear reactor based on uranium.<\/a>.<\/p><p>In addition, there are a number of other possible advantages, such as that the radioactive waste does not contain plutonium, has a shorter decomposition time, and that thorium reactors can be used to burn up uranium waste.<\/p><p>For now, the use of thorium for energy production is at the research stage. This means that there are no large-scale thorium reactors in commercial use. The energy crisis in Europe in the wake of the Ukraine war has brought nuclear power back on the agenda in many countries. Although the discussion is mainly about uranium, thorium is also brought up in the energy debate.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-352fc924 tsection tsection3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"352fc924\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14fbf98b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"14fbf98b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Industrial use and alternative solutions <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-289a328d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"289a328d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Industrially, thorium is often used in alloys and compounds, to achieve properties with a high melting temperature. Thorium is used, among other things, for high-temperature ceramics, catalysts and welding electrodes, and has been used in filaments in gas lamps and wires in electrical appliances, \naccording to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngu.no\/geologiske-ressurser\/thorium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NGU<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p><p>The USGS also mentions that thorium is used for magnetrons in microwave ovens, optical coatings, tungsten filaments, welding electrodes as well as in nuclear medicine and space technology. As we write on this site <a href=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/om-thorium\/\">in the main thorium-article <\/a>, the use of this radioactive metal is very limited today. In some areas, processes are also underway to find alternative raw materials that can replace thorium. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2023\/mcs2023-thorium.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American scientists<\/a> shows that non-radioactive substitutes have been developed for several of thorium's traditional uses.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bad1f25 tsection tsection2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4bad1f25\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77df3266 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"77df3266\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17f07a6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"17f07a6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alternatives to thorium<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31b9af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-jet-unfold\" data-id=\"31b9af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;unfold_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;mask_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;mask_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;mask_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;unfold_easing&quot;:&quot;easeOutBack&quot;,&quot;fold_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;fold_easing&quot;:&quot;easeOutSine&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"jet-unfold.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold\" data-settings=\"{&quot;height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separatorHeight&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;unfoldDuration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;foldDuration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:300,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;unfoldEasing&quot;:&quot;easeOutBack&quot;,&quot;foldEasing&quot;:&quot;easeOutSine&quot;,&quot;foldScrolling&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;hideOutsideClick&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;autoHide&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;autoHideTime&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;foldScrollOffset&quot;:null}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__mask\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__content-inner elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><ul><li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2023\/mcs2023-thorium.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to the USGS<\/a> , for example, yttrium compounds have replaced thorium compounds in incandescent lamp caps.<\/p><p>Several substitute materials (such as yttrium fluoride and proprietary materials) are in use as optical coatings in place of thorium fluoride, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2023\/mcs2023-thorium.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USGS\u2019 fact sheet<\/a>.<\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-style: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-font-style ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-word-spacing ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">Cerium, lanthanum, yttrium and zirconium oxides can replace thorium in welding electrodes.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-style: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-font-style ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-a7edb78-word-spacing ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">Magnesium alloy, with lanthanides, yttrium, and zirconium, can replace thorium alloys in aerospace applications.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jet-unfold__trigger\"><div class=\"jet-unfold__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\" href=\"#\" data-unfold-text=\"Les mer\" data-fold-text=\"Se mindre\" data-fold-icon=\"&lt;svg aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; class=&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 448 512&quot; xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\" data-unfold-icon=\"&lt;svg aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; class=&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 448 512&quot; xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"jet-unfold__button-icon jet-tricks-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"jet-unfold__button-text\">Read more:<\/span><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a8ee16b tsection tsection3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4a8ee16b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-417c6104 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"417c6104\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Thorium's radioactive properties are often seen as something negative, not least in view of the radiation hazard this can pose when extracting rare earths. But it is also the radiation properties that make thorium relevant for energy production, where thorium can have advantages that uranium lacks.<\/p><p>NGU points out that thorium does not split by itself like uranium, but must be bombarded with neutrons.<\/p><blockquote><p>\"A nuclear reactor based on thorium cannot therefore run wild in the same way as a nuclear reactor based on uranium. A thorium-based reactor will also not have plutonium as a waste product. Plutonium is a highly radioactive element with a long half-life, which poses a major environmental problem\", states <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngu.no\/geologiske-ressurser\/thorium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NGU<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-104dc6bf tsection tsection5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"104dc6bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdae604 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bdae604\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bf43509 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7bf43509\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p><strong>Research and development of new areas of use<\/strong><\/p><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55d5b464 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55d5b464\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The outlook for thorium is not clear cut. Although there is a trend towards the industry wanting to find non-radioactive substitutes for thorium, research is also being carried out into new areas of use. This applies to the use of thorium in the energy sector, but also to the development of medical equipment.<\/p><p>Without applications for thorium, this radioactive metal will become a problematic waste material in the extraction of REE.\u00a0<\/p><p>However, several entrepreneurs are working to solve this problem and create a market for thorium. This applies, for example, to the Norwegian companies Thorium Norway AS and Thor Energy AS, which will use thorium from the Fen Complex for energy production.<\/p><p>Certain actors are also working to utilize thorium for purposes other than energy. The Norwegian companies Thor Medical AS and Oncoinvent AS are looking at the use of natural thorium as a raw material for the production of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1434bfc8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1434bfc8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-535a271b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"535a271b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rectangle-11546.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-257\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c7e766f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6c7e766f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DALLE21.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-992\" alt=\"Illustrasjon som viser en gruppe kvinnelige forskere som studerer bruken av thorium til medisinske form\u00e5l.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DALLE21.png 1024w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DALLE21-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DALLE21-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DALLE21-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-200e1ea tsection tsection3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"200e1ea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f259ca4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f259ca4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IFE: Far ahead for thorium <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-057689a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"057689a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stortinget.no\/no\/Hva-skjer-pa-Stortinget\/Horing\/visning-av-skriftlig-innspill\/?dnid=31668&amp;h=10004812\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement to Committee on Business and Industry in the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget)<\/a> in 2023, <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips36'><a href='https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/glossary\/ife\/' target='_blank'>IFE*<\/a><\/span> emphasized that there is a long way to go before thorium can be used as an alternative to uranium.\u00a0<\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to the IFE, thorium is not<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0a fast track to nuclear energy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> as <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the development of thorium as a fuel takes time<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and since the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips37'><a href='https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/glossary\/iea\/' target='_blank'>IEA*<\/a><\/span> have not developed a separate safety regime for thorium:<\/span><\/p><blockquote><p><em><strong>\u00ab<\/strong>There is no tradition of using thorium in the nuclear power industry, and it is time-consuming to change the type of fuel as it requires very extensive regulatory approval processes.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4961161 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4961161\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b3a3a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1b3a3a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-arrow-alt-circle-up\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 504c137 0 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248zm0-448c110.5 0 200 89.5 200 200s-89.5 200-200 200S56 366.5 56 256 145.5 56 256 56zm20 328h-40c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12V256h-67c-10.7 0-16-12.9-8.5-20.5l99-99c4.7-4.7 12.3-4.7 17 0l99 99c7.6 7.6 2.2 20.5-8.5 20.5h-67v116c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">To the top<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips16','Produksjon av elektrisk energi ved omdanning av atomkjerner, s\u00e5kalt kjerneenergi (<a href=\"https:\/\/snl.no\/kjernekraftverk\">SNL<\/a>).'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips18','N\u00e5r hovedproduktet er skilt ut av malmen st\u00e5r en igjen med biprodukter og avgangsmasser.\u00a0 Biprodukter kan selges, mens avgangsmasser m\u00e5 deponeres.'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips36','Institutt for energiteknikk er Norges nukle\u00e6re forskningsinstitutt.'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips37','Det internasjonale energibyr\u00e5et. Forkortes ogs\u00e5 IAEA.'); <\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hva brukes thorium til? Thorium er et energimineral p\u00e5 linje med kull, r\u00e5olje og uran, men har ogs\u00e5 flere mulige bruksomr\u00e5der i industriell sammenheng. &#8211; Fensfeltet p\u00e5 Ulefoss og S\u00e6ter\u00e5sen nord for Larvik nevnes ofte som de thoriumforekomstene i Norge med st\u00f8rst potensial. Fensfeltet var i en del \u00e5r oppf\u00f8rt som en thoriumressurs av det [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-660","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=660"}],"version-history":[{"count":99,"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/660\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3439,"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/660\/revisions\/3439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fensfeltet.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}