Zero Waste Nuclear Reactors - Phase 3

In order to create a zero waste nuclear reactor, the process of fusion needs to take place. The most common type is the fusion of two hydrogen isotopes: deuterium (2H) and tritium (3H). It is the easiest fusion reaction to achieve[1]. A model of this fusion reaction is found at http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/fusion_dt/fusion_dt.html.

However, even with this reaction, radioactive waste is created by the neutron that is cast off. Research has been underway to form the fusion process by using deuterium and helium-3. This process produces very little in the way of waste and looks like a promising technology[2].

The issue with this technology is the availability of helium-3. It is not in abundant supply naturally.

If this technology could be harnessed and made compact, current technologies indicate that the reactor could be the size of a bathtub[1].

A vision of the future could be, if the technology could be made compact enough as well as economically viable, would be to have one located in every household. Image the possibilities if you could essentially have in your house a 50 year power supply to power your house, electric car, etc. Not having to worry about balckouts. Below, I present an sketch of that model. The model is not that exciting since the concept would be a sealed unit that you set in the corner and forget.

References

1. http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/fusion_dt/fusion_dt.html. Retrieved 9/17/08.

2. Zucchetti, M., Sugiyama, L. (2006). Advanced fuel cycles for fusion reactors: Passive safety and zero-waste options. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 41(1). 496-501.

Zero Waste Reactors - Phase 2

Nuclear Fission Reactors Create A Lot of Waste




In looking at Zero Waste Reactors, one must first understand the issues with current technology. The image to the left is the typical process for a nuclear reactor[1]. In the process of making energy the fuel rods become polluted by the fission process that the nuclear reaction process stops. In the US this spent rod now has to be disposed of and stored. The flow below depicts the once through cycle used within the US[1].

Other countries allow the spent fuel rod

s to be re-processed and used again. This process recovers and additional 30-40% more fuel. In the US this process was largely banned until recently because the by-product of the re-processing is weapons grade plutonium, which if stolen, could be used to produce nuclear weapons. The re-processing flow is depicted in the figure below[1].

What to do with the waste

A storage cycle has been created for both short-term and long-term storage of nuclear waste. First is the water pool, where the fuel rods are s

tored where they gradually cool. However, there is a shortage of storage pools, so a dry storage system was created to augment. Th

ese are shown in the pictures below[2].

For long-term storage the US has plans to create a massive tunnel system under the Yucca Mountain Range.

Associated Risks

One of the main issues with the current nuclear technology in the US is the sheer amount of highly radioactive waste the is produced and needs to be stored. Current technology allows for re-processing of the fuel rods to extend their live and reduce the waste but many political issues must be overcome.

In the next blog I will look at a new technology that is being studies, fusion reactors. These fusion reactors claim to generate no or very little highly radioactive waste.

References

1. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Sch%C3%A9maDechetsNucleaires_en.svg. Retrieved 9/15/08.

2. http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/images/storagepool.jpg. Retrieved 9/15/08.

Technology Prediction - "Zero waste Nuclear Reactors"

My area of focus for technology innovations over the next 20-25 years would be a "zero-waste nuclear reator." Typically, there is no arguement that nuclear power is a clean alternative way to produce electricity. However, the most pressing issue with using nuclear power is what to do with the waste. Today, the highly radioactive waste is stored in barrels which are encased in concrete, buried in salt caves, or even sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

Before the use of nuclear power can reach the levels of service required to support the planet, the issue of the waste must be dealt with. If we can process the fuel in such a way that at the end, there is no radioactive waste to dispose of, nuclear power could begin to approach mainstream usage.

In future blogs, I will explore this topic in more depth.

Podcast - Flickr

Here is my attempt at a podcast for Flickr. I have also included the text as well.
http://web.splashcast.net/preview/?s=JYCG4183CM

This podcast is my evaluation of Flickr. Flickr is a web2.0 tool that allows people to upload and share photos online. At first, I was skeptical as to what I would find at Flickr, but was surprised by the overall quality of the photos submitted. In the past, I had experienced similar sites with very poor quality and lets say somewhat questionable subject matters. On Flickr I found a wide-range of photos that were more inline with professional quality.

Overall I found the site very easy to use and navigate. After a short free account set-up, I was up and running. Since Flickr is associated with or uses a Yahoo account, I need to remember yet another username and password.

The other topic that I was interested in was could I control who could look at my online content. I was glad to see that Flickr incorporated full control over the photo sharing. You can choose to share the photos with just you, your friends and contacts, certain groups (I liken them to communities of interest), all the way to everyone on Flickr.

Overall I thought Flickr was very well laid out, but one capability I wish they would incorporate is the ability to subscribe to a community of photos and have them automatically synchronized to your computer so they could be used as wallpaper.