Can Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Solve the Issue of Nuclear Waste?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of decreasing the half life of isotopes in nuclear waste through accelerator-driven transmutation, which involves transforming them into other radionuclides with shorter half lives. This idea has been researched and discussed for a while, with potential benefits including electrical power production and breaking even economically. Various sources and research activities related to this topic are also mentioned.
  • #1
verygood
5
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Is there any way we can decrease the half life of isotopes in nuclear waste? such as mutate to some other radionuclides that have a relatively shorter half life than the original isotopes generated by depleted fuel?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
verygood said:
Is there any way we can decrease the half life of isotopes in nuclear waste? such as mutate to some other radionuclides that have a relatively shorter half life than the original isotopes generated by depleted fuel?

Thanks
The idea has been kicked around for a while.

Accelerator-driven transmutation of nuclear waste and electrical power production
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m8674w1m22n21k51/

Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative
Transmutation System Design
http://www.ne.anl.gov/research/afc/transmutation_system_design/

Why Accelerator-Driven Transmutation of Wastes Enables Future Nuclear Power?
http://neutron.kth.se/publications/conference_papers/W_Gudowski_FR202_1.PDF

R&D ACTIVITIES ON ACCELERATOR-DRIVEN TRANSMUTATION SYSTEM IN JAERI ...
www.nea.fr/pt/docs/iem/lasvegas04/11_Session_V/S5_03.pdf

. . . .

To be economical, the idea is to produce electrical energy in excess of the energy driving the process - or at least break even.
 
  • #3
Astronuc said:
The idea has been kicked around for a while.

Accelerator-driven transmutation of nuclear waste and electrical power production
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m8674w1m22n21k51/

Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative
Transmutation System Design
http://www.ne.anl.gov/research/afc/transmutation_system_design/

Why Accelerator-Driven Transmutation of Wastes Enables Future Nuclear Power?
http://neutron.kth.se/publications/conference_papers/W_Gudowski_FR202_1.PDF

R&D ACTIVITIES ON ACCELERATOR-DRIVEN TRANSMUTATION SYSTEM IN JAERI ...
www.nea.fr/pt/docs/iem/lasvegas04/11_Session_V/S5_03.pdf

. . . .

To be economical, the idea is to produce electrical energy in excess of the energy driving the process - or at least break even.

thx a lot, this completely answers my question! :cool:
 

What is the half-life of fission products?

The half-life of a fission product is the amount of time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay into a different element or isotope.

Why is the half-life of fission products important?

The half-life of fission products is important because it determines how long the radioactive material will remain hazardous and how quickly it will decay into a stable form.

How is the half-life of fission products calculated?

The half-life of fission products is calculated using the formula t1/2 = (ln2)/λ, where t1/2 is the half-life, ln is the natural logarithm, and λ is the decay constant.

What is the average half-life of fission products?

The average half-life of fission products is around 200,000 years. However, this can vary greatly depending on the specific element or isotope.

Can the half-life of fission products be changed?

No, the half-life of fission products is a constant and cannot be altered or changed by any external factors.

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