Known Solution for:

Disposal of Nuclear Waste

"Tap" spent fuel rods and use residual heat as energy source

Spent nuclear fuel rods radiate a nearly constant amount of heat for several years. In fact, these rods must be kept under water at all times in order to manage the deadly cargo they contain.

It occurs to me that these dangerous rods can provide a service to humanity by lending their heat to the production of electricity. Could not a way be devised to safely put a metal in contact with the rod, so that it's heat could be transferred to to water beds that become steam, which power turbines or to a large Thermocouple? Many rods linked together (their heat transferred via metal) could easily accomplish this. It is more complex than this of course, but this is the basic idea.

If anyone would like to discuss this in further detail just let me know.

-Tommy Charles

Contributed by Tommy Charles

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