Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Ellingson, Kenneth L on 19/10/2008 13:03:08

Title: Can nuclear fuel be recycled indefinitely?
Post by: Ellingson, Kenneth L on 19/10/2008 13:03:08

Ellingson, Kenneth L  asked the Naked Scientists:

Can nuclear fuel (from power plants) be recycled indefinitely so there is no waste?

Knute Ellingson, Chicago

What do you think?

Title: Can nuclear fuel be recycled indefinitely?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 19/10/2008 13:47:56

Obviously not. because you cannot extract energy without creating changes. However the fissionable isotope of Uranium is only a small proprtion of natural Uranium and turning the non fissionable common isotope U238 into a fissionable isotope will increase the amount of enrgy avaiable by a large factor.

Title: Can nuclear fuel be recycled indefinitely?
Post by: Knute on 21/10/2008 14:14:35

Sorry, What I meant is can nuclear fuel be recycled (refined and reused) until it is no longer toxic waste or harmful?