In an interesting twist on some of Atomic Rod’s ideas, the Russians now plan to build portable floating nuclear reactors as reported by Der Spiegel. It’s workable, since these are reactors just like the ones Russian Subs and Icebreakers currently use.
In an interesting twist on some of Atomic Rod‘s ideas, the Russians now plan to build portable floating nuclear reactors as reported by Der Spiegel. It’s workable, since these are reactors just like the ones Russian Subs and Icebreakers currently use. The drawback as Der Spiegel points out is that the reactors use U-235 weapons-grade Uranium in their fuel rods. If you want to use old-school permanent disposal techniques, (in other words put it where nobody could get at it again,) it does propose novel solutions. You could fill the barge with cement and drop it in the bottom of the Marianas trench. However new-school is that any uranium is much too valuable to dispose of permanently, it’s better to recycle it.
The concept is amazing. The new ship could be anchored along any coastline where there is no threat of a tsunami or hurricane. All local engineers have to do is attach a few cables and then the magic arrives: “the reactors are activated — and there is light.” Voilá, the world’s mobile, boat-based nuclear reactor for the production of civilian power. That, at least, is how an enthusiastic Evgeny Kuzin, who works for the Russian utility company Malaya Energetika, pitches the ambitious project.
Speaking of Rod Adams you can catch him here at his blog, Atomic Insights with a new podcast from Friday on Canada’s potential energy future.
Also, over at NEI Nuclear notes, a very detailed piece refuting Greenpeace’s “Chernobyl’s just waiting to happen here in America” hysteria with solid facts on nuclear safety.
Continue reading “Weekend Nuclear Energy Roundup”
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