02-23-2003, 03:52 PM
The irony is that most processed fuel rods ARE used for weapons materials. Just not the sort people think of. Depleted uranium is commonly used to make armor-piercing shell casings for anything from machine guns to missiles.
As far as safety of nuclear plants is concerned, I suggest you look up the emerging pellet technology. (sorry, I don't have a link) It involves coating small spheres of enriched fuel in ceramic pellets. Apparently, they don't release enough energy to cause a meltdown, and they can safely be dumped anywhere once they are spent. Interesting reading, if nothing else.
As far as safety of nuclear plants is concerned, I suggest you look up the emerging pellet technology. (sorry, I don't have a link) It involves coating small spheres of enriched fuel in ceramic pellets. Apparently, they don't release enough energy to cause a meltdown, and they can safely be dumped anywhere once they are spent. Interesting reading, if nothing else.
cheezz
"I believe in karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it."-Dogbert
"The truth is always greater that the words we use to describe it."
"I believe in karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it."-Dogbert
"The truth is always greater that the words we use to describe it."