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Hans Bethe's views |
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| Jul6-05, 08:47 PM | #1 |
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Hans Bethe's views
Just published:http://www.arxiv.org/abs/physics/0507043
From the abstract |
| Jul6-05, 09:29 PM | #2 |
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Th-232 can be used in a thermal breeder to produce U-233, and U-238 is converted to Pu-239 (with subsequent production of Pu-240, 241, 242 and Am-241,242,243, Cm-244). Actinide burning is a possibility.
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| Jul7-05, 10:46 AM | #3 |
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Recognitions:
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I don't see Bethe's solution as solving the proliferation problem - and neither did the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation study of the late 70s, early 80s. I think the solution lies with concepts like Argonne's Integral Fast Reactor; the IFR: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...iews/till.html The IFR concept allow on-site reprocessing - so that the weapons-grade material never leaves the high radiation portion of the power plant. Additionally, as Dr. Till states; the IFR concept doesn't separate the weapons useable material from other "stuff" that makes the creation of a weapon with that material impossible. The IFR is a breeder; so it makes potential use of all the Uranium available, both U-238 and U-235; and not just the fissile U-235. The IFR address proliferation concerns - the Plutonium created is never separated from "stuff" that makes the use of that Plutonium in a weapon impossible. The IFR is "inherently-safe" or "passively-safe" - it doesn't rely on engineered safeguards like emergency pumps to guarantee safety. It relies on the Laws of Physics; which always work. It really is too bad that Clinton cancelled this project in 1994 to appease the anti-nuclear crowd. Dr. Gregory Greenman Physicist |
| Jul7-05, 04:01 PM | #4 |
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Hans Bethe's views
I thoroughly agree with you doctor. Without your expertise, I have been a proponent of the IFR for years, as my old posts on PF will show. I just thought it was interesting to see what Bethe, for whom I have the greatest respect, thought about it. Maybe the thoughts retailed in the paper were from before the IFR design was developed.
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