Selafield, an inside look
Discussion
On catchup but was on BBC4 yesterday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b065x080
Interesting including How to store a used reactor in something resembling an ikea box set after it has been chopped up.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b065x080
Interesting including How to store a used reactor in something resembling an ikea box set after it has been chopped up.
What were the really important questions he/they missed? If anything it focused perhaps a bit too much on the waste aspect (but then given it's primary role perhaps not that surprising).
It would have been nice to see more "detail" but then it was made quite clear there were restrictions on what could and what could not be filmed.
It was also specifically about Selafield as opposed to nuclear power so not discussion competing technologies, discussing fusion etc which are all much broader in context did seem appropriate.
It would have been nice to see more "detail" but then it was made quite clear there were restrictions on what could and what could not be filmed.
It was also specifically about Selafield as opposed to nuclear power so not discussion competing technologies, discussing fusion etc which are all much broader in context did seem appropriate.
The most important point was left until last.
Safety and ideas about decommissioning were totally ignored in the 60s and 70s. That's why there are the 'cooling' ponds, and those blocks of concrete full of radioactive chopped-up reactor. We were assured that it's different now - I do hope it is, but we still have the problem of those leaking cooling ponds.
The most interesting point Al-Kalili said was that we could irradiate radioactive parts with neutrons, causing the isotopes dangerous for thousands of years to transmute into elements with a shorter half life. He should know, he's a nuclear physicist, but not an engineer so is this practical?
The most frustrating point was about THORP, the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant at Sellafield. Built at enormous cost, and still unique in the world, it was supposed to be able to recover usable nuclear fuel from spent rods. Offering that as a service to the World was supposed to make the UK's fortune AND reduce the amount of dangerous waste. We were shown THORP in action but told nothing of its present status in those respects.
John
Safety and ideas about decommissioning were totally ignored in the 60s and 70s. That's why there are the 'cooling' ponds, and those blocks of concrete full of radioactive chopped-up reactor. We were assured that it's different now - I do hope it is, but we still have the problem of those leaking cooling ponds.
The most interesting point Al-Kalili said was that we could irradiate radioactive parts with neutrons, causing the isotopes dangerous for thousands of years to transmute into elements with a shorter half life. He should know, he's a nuclear physicist, but not an engineer so is this practical?
The most frustrating point was about THORP, the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant at Sellafield. Built at enormous cost, and still unique in the world, it was supposed to be able to recover usable nuclear fuel from spent rods. Offering that as a service to the World was supposed to make the UK's fortune AND reduce the amount of dangerous waste. We were shown THORP in action but told nothing of its present status in those respects.
John
GnuBee said:
What were the really important questions he/they missed? If anything it focused perhaps a bit too much on the waste aspect (but then given it's primary role perhaps not that surprising).
It would have been nice to see more "detail" but then it was made quite clear there were restrictions on what could and what could not be filmed.
It was also specifically about Selafield as opposed to nuclear power so not discussion competing technologies, discussing fusion etc which are all much broader in context did seem appropriate.
What to do with the plutonium stock pile? Keep it where it is, expensive, with a degree of hazard from theft or contamination. Leave it for future generations.It would have been nice to see more "detail" but then it was made quite clear there were restrictions on what could and what could not be filmed.
It was also specifically about Selafield as opposed to nuclear power so not discussion competing technologies, discussing fusion etc which are all much broader in context did seem appropriate.
Bury it deep underground, very expensive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_geological_repo...
Or convert it into reactor fuel. There is a lot of energy in plutonium. MOX fuels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOX_fuel
No mention of the really smart autonomous robotics.
They are extracting the Plutonium to put into MOX fuels
This video is a nice little addition to the program (which was a bit simpleton really) from Nottingham University. They went up to Sellafield and were filming in the NNL while a bloke who worked there explained and demonstrated how they extract Plutonium with solvent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89UNPdNtOoE
This video is a nice little addition to the program (which was a bit simpleton really) from Nottingham University. They went up to Sellafield and were filming in the NNL while a bloke who worked there explained and demonstrated how they extract Plutonium with solvent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89UNPdNtOoE
Brigand said:
I found the show very interesting, but it did leave me with a few questions that I'd have liked them to have answered. It went into some good detail, but then glossed over a few other points I found. Enjoyable though.
such as? There may be someone within PH who can answer, or provide more information. There does seem to be quite a few with a finger or more in the nuclear industry!I have been in nuclear for quite a few years. Firstly generation, and then decommissioning.
As mentioned, getting rid of the waste and taking these places apart was almost an afterthought years ago. Its all very well generating all this so called low carbon electricity, but the effort that goes into decommissioning and cleaning up is immense. And to top it all off we do not have any permanent long term storage facility available for all of the waste!!!
As mentioned, getting rid of the waste and taking these places apart was almost an afterthought years ago. Its all very well generating all this so called low carbon electricity, but the effort that goes into decommissioning and cleaning up is immense. And to top it all off we do not have any permanent long term storage facility available for all of the waste!!!
unclemark123 said:
I have been in nuclear for quite a few years. Firstly generation, and then decommissioning.
As mentioned, getting rid of the waste and taking these places apart was almost an afterthought years ago. Its all very well generating all this so called low carbon electricity, but the effort that goes into decommissioning and cleaning up is immense. And to top it all off we do not have any permanent long term storage facility available for all of the waste!!!
Its certainly true long term cleanup wasn't seriously considered in the 50s & 60s, so nasty stuff was tossed around with gay abandon and limited record keeping. The cost of safe cleanup is immense, estimates ranging from 53 billion to 200+ and anywhere from 80 to 150 years duration.As mentioned, getting rid of the waste and taking these places apart was almost an afterthought years ago. Its all very well generating all this so called low carbon electricity, but the effort that goes into decommissioning and cleaning up is immense. And to top it all off we do not have any permanent long term storage facility available for all of the waste!!!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/ul...
As I live close to Sellafield, their antics are always interesting
eldar said:
As I live close to Sellafield, their antics are always interesting
I have spent most my time at Hikley A, B & C, and yes, although I cannot speak openly here about alot of things I have witnessed, their antics are most certainly interesting. I have witnessed some rather dubious practices over the years.
+1
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