Is Nuclear Waste Really Waste?
Google TechTalks3 HN recommenders · 2017–2022
75K views · talk · evergreen · Uploaded 2010-12-16
In a 2010 Google Tech Talk, Kirk Sorensen gives an economic analysis of what spent nuclear fuel actually contains. He argues it is mostly valuable material that can be partitioned and reused, not just waste to be isolated for 100,000 years.
HN readers recommend it as the best explanation of what nuclear waste really is and how much of it is reusable fuel.
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4 comments from Hacker News
While this is true it is just another reflection of the backwards nuclear policy of NASA and the US government. With different reactors, creation of more Pu-238 would not be a huge problem. The issue is just that there seems to be very little interest in pushing forward any areas and as so often the case many of these technologies are mutually supporting. I would really love a real push forward on Molten Salt reactors that would give you the ability to filter out a number of important substances that have a hole host of different uses. It would also go a long way in solving the nuclear waste problems. Here is some exploration of what is contained in nuclear waste: [VIDEO]
More like 300 years. Most of what remains of the waste is americium and plutonium which can be reused as nuclear fuel. [VIDEO] Most of the issues with nuclear waste are proliferation related. That's why it's stored and not given away to let's say Iran.
Interestingly, this post on an application for Nuclear waste was on the front page[1]. This talk on nuclear waste may also be of interest to you[2]. [1] [LINK] [2] [VIDEO]
A much more practical use of nuclear waste is to make traditional RTG. Nuclear waste could also be used for medical isotopes. There are lots of other interesting things in nuclear waste. This talk from 2010 is really amazing at understanding what 'nuclear waste' actually is and what it will be. [VIDEO]