Re: Cherynobl and groundwater radionuclide transport...

[JPreisig@AOL.COM]

Hello Again,


      From:  jpreisig@aol.com


      Hmmmmmm.  I don't think most fusion energy systems have any U-238

blanket, John Andrews.  I think making fission work at all is the goal right

now.  Adding U-238 to the fusion reactor design only adds to the eventual

waste problems, as you suggest.


     Sure, fusion is not economical right now.  Up until a while ago, the 

Plasma

researchers were concentrating on achieving high plasma temperatures, high

plasma particle densities, and confinement times that are long enough which

would allow useful fusion to occur.  Clearly, fusion is not economically

viable, like fission, right now.  Better engineering, etc. may improve matters

down the line.  I don't think the nuclear power industry is ending anytime 

soon.

But we still need to consider more advanced energy systems for the 

future.


      If one would place a U-238 blanket on the walls of a fusion "reactor" 

and 

if the confining magnetic field did not keep the plasma away from the U-238,

then the U-238 would be "vaporized" in no time.  The U-238 would become part

of the plasma.  YUCK.....


     Let's leave fuel breeding to (fission) breeder reactors.


     Regards,                                  J.R. Preisig, Ph.D.