[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Cherynobl and groundwater radionuclide transport...



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.