Transmutation of nuclear waste

[K7ELP]

I have read various articles about transmutation of nuclear waste. #The transmutation is claimed to #change the structure of the molecules so the waste is no longer a hazard.

Does anyone know if this is a just someones claim or it can actually be done. #I don't have any references to the articles I have read, but doing a google search brings up a lot of articles on the subject. #Some of the articles #that I have read claim the U.S. government is stopping it for various reasons.

I would really like to know if transmutation is feasible at a reasonable cost, and if in fact the government is preventing it from happening.

Ned

[WF7A]

I'm a hazy on the process (something about cooking the radioactive material with something else which turns the stuff into a glass or ceramic-like substance), but search for links relating to the Hanford nuclear facility in Washington state; I think it's suppose to process its spent waste that way.

[kc0ukk]

"The concept of separation and transmutation of actinides has the potential to contribute to solving the problems posed by the management of radioactive waste, by reducing the proportion of long-lived isotopes it contains. However, it should not be considered as an alternative to deep geological disposal, and should not be presented as such. "

NEA (http://www.nea.fr/html/trw/index.html)

[W5HTW]

It isn't really difficult to dispose of nuclear waste. We can do a lot of things with it. However, the simpest thing to do with it is dig a deep hole, place the waste in the hole, and drop a hydrogen bomb down the hole. Blam! Solved!

Also, there is plenty of room in Mexico. It won't bother anyone down there, as they are all up here. Let each Mexican we send south, carry a bucket of nuclear waste with him. On every trip he makes. All three or four a day. Every day.

Or maybe we could trade it to Venezuela for oil? They can ship it to Iran.

Think out of the box. Think out of the country.

Ed

[WF7A]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ July 04 2007,08:44)]It isn't really difficult to dispose of nuclear waste. We can do a lot of things with it. However, the simpest thing to do with it is dig a deep hole, place the waste in the hole, and drop a hydrogen bomb down the hole. Blam! Solved!

Also, there is plenty of room in Mexico. It won't bother anyone down there, as they are all up here. Let each Mexican we send south, carry a bucket of nuclear waste with him. On every trip he makes. All three or four a day. Every day.

Or maybe we could trade it to Venezuela for oil? They can ship it to Iran.

Think out of the box. Think out of the country.

Ed
I think other countries have already thought "out of the country" already: Don't we have a U.S. law or policy that says we'll accept other countries' nuclear waste for disposal?

This has given me an idea: I'm going to find a dilapidated, rusty, 50-gallon drum, paint nuclear warning sticker and nomenclature on it, then in the middle of the night, roll it onto an assaholic neighbor of mine's front yard. I'll just hide around the corner and watch her have a fit when she leaves for work in the morning.

[kl7aj]

Quote[/b] (K7ELP @ July 04 2007,15:12)]I have read various articles about transmutation of nuclear waste. #The transmutation is claimed to #change the structure of the molecules so the waste is no longer a hazard.

Does anyone know if this is a just someones claim or it can actually be done. #I don't have any references to the articles I have read, but doing a google search brings up a lot of articles on the subject. #Some of the articles #that I have read claim the U.S. government is stopping it for various reasons.

I would really like to know if transmutation is feasible at a reasonable cost, and if in fact the government is preventing it from happening.

Ned
The French have been safely vitrefying spent uranium for decades. It's valid technology.

eric

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ July 04 2007,18:44)]It isn't really difficult to dispose of nuclear waste. We can do a lot of things with it. However, the simpest thing to do with it is dig a deep hole, place the waste in the hole, and drop a hydrogen bomb down the hole. Blam! Solved!

Also, there is plenty of room in Mexico. It won't bother anyone down there, as they are all up here. Let each Mexican we send south, carry a bucket of nuclear waste with him. On every trip he makes. All three or four a day. Every day.

Or maybe we could trade it to Venezuela for oil? They can ship it to Iran.

Think out of the box. Think out of the country.

Ed
Shoot it to the sun, make sunspots, which result in better propagation...

[kc0ukk]

Quote[/b] (kl7aj @ July 05 2007,13:30)]Quote[/b] (K7ELP @ July 04 2007,15:12)]I have read various articles about transmutation of nuclear waste. #The transmutation is claimed to #change the structure of the molecules so the waste is no longer a hazard.

Does anyone know if this is a just someones claim or it can actually be done. #I don't have any references to the articles I have read, but doing a google search brings up a lot of articles on the subject. #Some of the articles #that I have read claim the U.S. government is stopping it for various reasons.

I would really like to know if transmutation is feasible at a reasonable cost, and if in fact the government is preventing it from happening.

Ned
The French have been safely vitrefying spent uranium for decades. #It's valid technology.

eric
Vitrification only prevents leakage and disbursement. The radioactivity remains as does the volume. The transmutation process, if I understand correctly, attempts to reduce the volume.

[kc0ukk]

Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 05 2007,13:38)]Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ July 04 2007,18:44)]It isn't really difficult to dispose of nuclear waste. #We can do a lot of things with it. #However, the simpest thing to do with it is dig a deep hole, place the waste in the hole, and drop a hydrogen bomb down the hole. #Blam! #Solved! #

Also, there is plenty of room in Mexico. #It won't bother anyone down there, as they are all up here. # Let each Mexican we send south, carry a bucket of nuclear waste with him. #On every trip he makes. #All three or four a day. Every day.

Or maybe we could trade it to Venezuela for oil? #They can ship it to Iran.

Think out of the box. #Think out of the country. #

Ed
Shoot it to the sun, make sunspots, which result in better propagation...
The misfires, it seems, would be quite troublesome.