COMMENT on BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON AMERICA'S NUCLEAR FUTURE - NUCLEARSPACE MESSAGE BOARD (ACTIVE)

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TOPIC: COMMENT on BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON AMERICA'S NUCLEAR FUTURE

NUKE ROCKY44

Senior Member

Status: Offline

Posts: 400

Date: Sep 20, 2011

COMMENT on BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON AMERICA'S NUCLEAR FUTURE	Permalink

TITLE: NUCLEAR FUELS FOR SMALL REACTOR TECHNOLOGY POWER PLANTS & FOR SPACE PROPULSION & STABLE HUMAN COLONIES We are nuclearspace.com and the Nuclear Space Technology Institute (NS/NSTI) they function to promote the use of nuclear power in space to further robotic and human exploration of our solar system and beyond. Other uses of nuclear science relate to: constructive uses in nuclear medicine, food irradiation, construction industry, electrical power generation, peaceful use of nuclear explosions, nuclear waste recycling/reprocessing are discussed as issues of interest. Our purpose is to enhance the technological use of nuclear fission, fusion, antimatter and as yet formal discovery proposals for advanced energy to provide power and propulsion. We see the issue of nuclear power taking the lead as an important keystone to a holistic overall energy policy strategy in a stable economy at its core - is nuclear power. And the hydrocarbon industry taking a secondary role in energy production with minor solar, wind, biofuel and geothermal so called, "Green Energy" alternatives as local individual sources for energy. The United States is at a crucial juncture as this period of economic instability makes evident the need to readjust priorities in industry, finance, investment and military involvement. Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) reprocessing and recycling to close the nuclear fuel cycle employing techniques like Alpha Radiolysis research on spent nuclear fuel UO2 matrix alteration are examples of worthwhile endeavors and should be market driven to provide the necessary income for both private and public investments. We hope in particular weapons grade isotope purity of for example, U235 high purity program be sustained since this is a necessary fuel for future Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine (NTR) operations. This would revitalize an advanced space program utilizing nuclear science for both propulsion and power for off-earth terra firma human base space colony. Also commercial launch payload costs could be reduced to a minimum of $100.00/lb. USD to Low Earth Orbit. We also advocate sustained processing of Pu238 programs for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG) for deep space robotics. We advocate a change to the Nuclear Test Band Treaty to conduct research on in situ use of peaceful nuclear explosions (PNE) working with our international partners to perform a demolition of rogue Near Earth Objects (NEO) by strategically placed PNE's to effect orbit diversion away from certain Earth collision. And we hope that in-space PNE research can give valued information on PNE use for space propulsion. Lastly, PNE use can also mitigate run-away deep ocean gas/oil wells such as the Deepwater Horizon pollution incident that took place in year 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana State coastline. By effecting damper and triggering device research, drill hole packing material research and computer code and simulation under seabed geologic material formation these catastrophic impacts could be lessened by oil/gas well sealing. Wet or dry SNF reprocessing should always keep in mind key isotope stock maintenance like the Plutonium isotopes should always be available for military deterrent at worst and industrial peaceful purposes at best. Fast reactor technology and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology is a promising wave of new nuclear energy generation. Thorium based seed-and-blanket fuel cycle reactors to reduce the production of transuranic nuclear waste are important along with Molten Salt Reactor and the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR), the TRISO fueled Fix Bed Nuclear Reactor (FBNR), SSTAR, 4S Toshiba, TWR, ELENA are all good technologies in the international small reactor class market. It would be prudent to prepare permanent site(s) for Geo-Repository albeit for a reduced amount of recycled nuclear fuel material storage longevity range of 300 yrs.- 500 yrs. The United States & Canada in North America could transition from the current gigantic Mega Watt wet bulb HWR and LWR reactors to find its roots again in small reactors that are multi-use such as co-generation gas fuels processing. The developing nations will invariably embark on SMR technology because it will make economic sense for desalination water plants along coastlines for potable water, agricultural fertilizer production and to gain independence from the volatility of the Hydrocarbon Market product offers and the violent politics associated with conflict petroleum. Most of these new nuclear scenarios require readjustments in political will to increase good paying civilian jobs, reduce military interventions & tensions that starve valuable financial resources from peaceful advances such as nuclear science education, trade skills and a stable growth market potential for global commerce and trade reciprocity. It is our wish the American Nuclear community continue to provide invaluable nuclear Research & Development. In the future provide the necessary framework to work with other nations (moderating the anti-business ITAR regulations) for secure, safe, efficient, reduced weapons proliferation nuclear fuel and reactor technology at a competitive value price under an open fair market. BRUCE BEHRHORST comment submitted 12/09/2011 to: The Blue Ribbon Commission on Americas Nuclear Future. http://brc.gov/index.php?q=generalcomment/nuclear-fuels-small-reactor-tecnology-power-plants-space-propulsion-stable-human-colo -- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Tuesday 20th of September 2011 05:51:13 PM __________________ Bruce Behrhorst

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