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Old 09-04-2008, 03:47 PM   #5 (permalink)
metromizer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
I also don't quite see the point. Sure, it probably deserves further research, but nuclear fission is a workable solution using proven technology. We could start building today, if it weren't for public hysteria - and it's virtually certain that the groups who push anti-nuclear propaganda would oppose this, too.
I partially agree with you, but let's face it, conventional fission plants have a few HUGE drawbacks, drawbacks that are addressed and conquored by a hybrid reactor. At least in in concept. For right or wrong, the hysteria as you call it, hasn't changed in 40 years, which doesn't leave me very optimistic about the future of conventional fission power plants.

Sidestepping the politics of fission power for a moment, we are where we are here in the US with respect to fission power plants, and that's stuck in the mud without a winch. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel...

1) Exportable technology. A conventional fission plants have huge international politcal ramifications. A fission plant gets a country (friend or foe) well on its way to there very own weapons program... not the sort of thing we should export to say, Iran for instance. A proposed LIFE hybrid reactor uses very low-grade fuel, no need for separators, refinement, or enrichment, the technology by it's nature is very exportable to everywhere.

2a) Waste stream. The Yucca mountain storage site in NV is fully subscribed with existing spent fuel rods from the few nuclear fission plants in the US today (fuel rods that have been blocked from being moved, if allowed to be moved, would fill the Yucca mountain facility). In order for that technology to replace oil fired plants, you'd need a Yucca mountain facility every couple years. Unless public opposition changes, more fission plants in the US sounds to me like a non-starter.

2b) Spent fuel rods no longer viable for use in current fission reactors could be reclaimed. Mined and recycled within a hybrid reactor. The hybrid reactor burns it's low grade fuel down to ash so small the waste stream isn't an issue.

3) Safety. Fission plants can go 'runaway' from a mechanical failure (Three Mile island, Chyernoble sp?). Since the hybrid plant's fuel must be ignited by high energy laser, and the fuel never gets to critical mass, it fails safe. Got a problem? Shut off the laser and the burn stops.

those are just the top three... according to the presentation I saw, there is an impressive list of scientists who can't find a big downside, not yet at least.
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