Posted on Jun 1, 2018
Russia launched a floating nuclear power plant this weekend
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“Nuclear reactors bobbing around the Arctic Ocean will pose a shockingly obvious threat to a fragile environment,” said Jan Haverkamp, a nuclear expert.
“The floating nuclear power plants will typically be put to use near coastlines and shallow water,” said Haverkamp. “Contrary to claims regarding safety, the flat-bottomed hull and the floating nuclear power plant’s lack of self-propulsion makes it particularly vulnerable to tsunamis and cyclones.”
Correction: This story originally said that the Lomonsov was the world's first floating nuclear power plant but in fact the US military used a floating nuclear power plant on the Sturgis in Panama between 1968 and 1975.
“The floating nuclear power plants will typically be put to use near coastlines and shallow water,” said Haverkamp. “Contrary to claims regarding safety, the flat-bottomed hull and the floating nuclear power plant’s lack of self-propulsion makes it particularly vulnerable to tsunamis and cyclones.”
Correction: This story originally said that the Lomonsov was the world's first floating nuclear power plant but in fact the US military used a floating nuclear power plant on the Sturgis in Panama between 1968 and 1975.
Russia launched a floating nuclear power plant this weekend
Posted from arstechnica.com
Nuclear
Russia
Science
Arctic Ocean
Strategy
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Way all their other nuclear reactor work, this is a floating Chernoble.
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What evidence is there that a lost reactor will do damage? Only time will tell. Has Thresher, Scorpion, Kursk and K10 come to mind. Probably more that have been hidden.
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China has announced that they will build an entirely nuclear powered carrier task force. I do not understand our reluctance to look at more nuclear power for our bases and equipment.
In my opinion, the US needs to invest R&D into advancing Thorium/Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology. See link: https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/uranium-investing/thorium-nuclear-energy/
1. Thorium Nuclear Power is safe- it cannot "melt down" because it's already in a molten state inside the reactor. It is much easier to regulate, and can be set up to self-regulate it's reactions.
2. Thorium reactors produce Uranium 233. The reaction is stable, safe & actually produces more fuel U-233) when exposed to more thorium. Uranium 233 cannot be used to make nuclear weapons- that requires U-235 (this is not produced in a thorium reactor).
3. Little Thorium waste- Thorium reactions produce more thorium and very little radioactive by-products that must be stored or reprocessed. This makes it safer & cleaner than regular nuclear reactors.
In my opinion, the US needs to invest R&D into advancing Thorium/Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology. See link: https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/uranium-investing/thorium-nuclear-energy/
1. Thorium Nuclear Power is safe- it cannot "melt down" because it's already in a molten state inside the reactor. It is much easier to regulate, and can be set up to self-regulate it's reactions.
2. Thorium reactors produce Uranium 233. The reaction is stable, safe & actually produces more fuel U-233) when exposed to more thorium. Uranium 233 cannot be used to make nuclear weapons- that requires U-235 (this is not produced in a thorium reactor).
3. Little Thorium waste- Thorium reactions produce more thorium and very little radioactive by-products that must be stored or reprocessed. This makes it safer & cleaner than regular nuclear reactors.
Are Thorium Reactors the Future of Nuclear Energy? | INN
Thorium reactors hold promise as an alternative for uranium in the nuclear energy sector, but are they really a viable option?
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PO3 (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) - I brought up the exactly same topic's almost a year ago and was chastised for such nonsense thoughts. I can see the military benefits to depleted uranium. But when it comes to needing energy everything I reviewed about the Molten Salt Reactors has so many built in features. I'm still wondering why we are not doing it. I just mark it up as Political reasons.
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LTC (Join to see)
Yes, this is exactly why Thorium- a proven 1950s era technology was not developed further. It's specific by-products only produce Thorium & Uranium 233. Which in itself cannot be used to produce a nuclear weapon. Congress needs to get off it's arse and appropriate some funding for this research. The Energy department should provide R&D to update this technology into the 21st Century.
I would envision a Thorium Reactor in each town in America- producing clean, safe, and reliable power that power homes and businesses in the US.
I would envision a Thorium Reactor in each town in America- producing clean, safe, and reliable power that power homes and businesses in the US.
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