Smarter Use of Nuclear Waste

Hannum, W.H.; Marsh, Gerald E.; Stanford, G.S.

doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1205-84

Cited by 29 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Light-water reactors (LWR) of any design, however, can harness only a tiny fraction of the potential energy in uranium, less than 1% (even with plutonium recovered via aqueous reprocessing) [20]. Fast reactors, by contrast, can unlock nearly all of uranium's stored energy if coupled with an iterative fuel recycling system [21]. 11 http://www.sacome.org.au/images/stories/Nuclear_Series_SA_Mines__Energy_ Journal.pdf.…”

Section: Alternative Technology Choices and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The case for a near-term commercial demonstration of the Integral Fast Reactor

Brook

Erp²,

Meneley

et al. 2015

Sustainable Materials and Technologies

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Demonstrating a credible and acceptable way to safely recycle 'used' nuclear fuel will clear a socially acceptable pathway for nuclear fission to be a major low-carbon energy source for this century. Here we advocate for an accelerated timetable for commercial demonstration of Generation IV nuclear technology, via construction of a prototype metal-fueled fast neutron reactor and associated 100 t/year pyroprocessing facility to convert and recycle spent fuel (routinely mischaracterized as "nuclear waste") that has accumulated from decades of lightwater reactor use. Based on the pioneering research and development done during the 'Integral Fast Reactor' (IFR) program at Argonne National Laboratory, 1 a number of synergistic design choices are recommended: (a) a pool-type sodium-cooled reactor; (b) metal fuel based on a uranium-plutonium-zirconium alloy, and (c) recycling using electrorefining and pyroprocessing, thereby enabling the transmutation and repeated reuse of the actinides in the reactor system. We argue that alternative technology options for the coolant, fuel type and recycling system, while sometimes possessing individually attractive features, are challenging to combine into a sufficiently competitive overall system. A reactor blueprint that embodies these key design features, the General Electric-Hitachi 380 MWe PRISM, 2 based on the IFR, is ready for a commercial-prototype demonstration. A two-pronged approach for completion by 2020 could progress by a detailed design and demonstration of a 100 t/year pyroprocessing facility for conversion of spent oxide fuel from light-water reactors 3 into metal fuel for fast reactors, followed by construction of a prototype PRISM as a commercial-scale demonstration plant, with an initial focus on secure disposition of separated plutonium stocks. Ideally, this could be achieved via an international collaboration. Several countries have expressed great interest in such collaboration. Once demonstrated, this prototype would provide an international test facility for any concept improvements. It is expected to achieve significant advances in reactor safety, reliability, fuel resource sustainability, management of long-term waste, improved proliferation resistance, and economics.

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Section: Alternative Technology Choices and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The case for a near-term commercial demonstration of the Integral Fast Reactor

Brook

Erp²,

Meneley

et al. 2015

Sustainable Materials and Technologies

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“…That meant there would be a growing world demand for energy. An article by Hannum, Marsh and Stanford [1] convinced me that the world energy demand could conceptually be met. My own work on the development and diffusion of technological innovation started me on 2 years of work and study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Combating global warming while enhancing the future

Baruch

2008

Technology in Society

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“…(Early critics of geoengineering were so vehemently opposed to the idea that they left death threats on the voice machine of its most famous advocate, David Keith (Grolle 2013).) Others point out that although "only nuclear power can satisfy humanity's long-term energy needs while preserving the environment" (Hannum et al 2005) nuclear reactors generate highly radioactive waste that is dangerous if not stored with the utmost care; reprocessing this waste is expensive and increases the possibility of the waste being accessed and used for malicious purposes (Fahey 2009). …”

Section: Techno Pessimismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Happiness is the Wrong Metric

Etzioni

2018

Library of Public Policy and Public Administration

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Around the world there are challenges to the way we administer government. Some of these have to do with brute force that is backed by self-interest. However, there are those intrepid souls who think we are all better than this. This series of monographs and edited collections of original essays seeks to explore the very best way that governments can execute their sovereign duties within the sphere of ethicallybased public policy that recognizes human rights and the autonomy of its citizens.Proposals to the series can include policy questions that are nationally or internationally situated. For example, regional migration from victims of war, terrorism, police integrity, political corruption, the intersection between politics and public health, hunger, clean water and sanitation, global warming, treatment of the "other" nationally and internationally, and issues of distributive justice and human rights.Proposals that discuss systemic changes in the structure of government solutions will also be considered. These include corruption and anti-corruption, bribery, nepotism, and effective systems design.Series benchmark: 110,000-150,000 words. Special books can be somewhat longer.More information about this series at

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Smarter Use of Nuclear Waste

Cited by 29 publications

References 1 publication

The case for a near-term commercial demonstration of the Integral Fast Reactor

The case for a near-term commercial demonstration of the Integral Fast Reactor

Combating global warming while enhancing the future

Happiness is the Wrong Metric

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