Nuclear scientist proposes innovative application for nuclear waste: Transforming it into scarce fusion reactor material

In a groundbreaking development, scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory have proposed a new method for refining nuclear waste into tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with two neutrons, using a particle accelerator. This innovative approach could potentially produce up to 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of tritium annually per gigawatt of energy input, making it more efficient than traditional tritium production methods in fusion reactors of the same size[1][2][3][4][5].

This method offers a safety advantage as the reaction can be easily controlled, unlike traditional fission chain reactions that can run uncontrolled[1][2][4]. However, it's important to note that the process does not eliminate nuclear waste; instead, it transforms it through atom-splitting reactions, leaving behind hazardous leftover materials that remain as radioactive as the original waste. These nuclear waste remnants after tritium extraction are still dangerous and would require safe handling and storage[3].

One proposed design includes enclosing the nuclear waste in molten lithium salt, which acts as a coolant and safety barrier, reducing the risk of weapons-grade material extraction and helping contain radioactive byproducts. This containment mitigates some risks but does not fully neutralize the toxicity of the waste byproducts[2][4].

Preliminary findings from Los Alamos physicist Terence Tarnowsky suggest that waste from traditional nuclear reactors could be refined into tritium, potentially turning over 90,000 metric tons of waste into a valuable resource. Tritium is typically used with deuterium (a non-radioactive isotope of hydrogen with one neutron) to power prototype fusion plants.

Currently, the US's commercial tritium sources are primarily from Canada, where CANDU nuclear reactors produce tritium as a byproduct. A 1 GW(th) deuterium-tritium fusion plant requires more than 55 kg of tritium per year. Even if the US were to sign deals with all 27 CANDU reactors around the world (17 of which are in Canada), it would only end up with about 2.7 kilograms of tritium per year - far short of what a 1 GW(th) D‐T plant needs[1].

The commercial value of tritium is approximately $15 million per pound ($33 million per kilogram). The production rate of tritium from an accelerator-driven system is roughly equal to the annual commercial output of Canada's CANDU reactors. Efficiency calculations are the next step in Tarnowsky's ongoing project.

It's important to note that this research is currently based on computer simulations, with ongoing work to refine models for cost, safety, and scalability before practical implementation[1][2][4]. The world has yet to produce a truly energy positive, sustained, or practical fusion reaction, but this innovative approach could bring us one step closer.

| Aspect | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | Efficiency | ~4.4 pounds tritium/year per 1 GW energy input; 10x more efficient than comparable fusion reactors | | Safety advantage | Particle accelerator-driven reactions can be turned on/off, avoiding runaway chain reactions | | Byproducts | Remaining nuclear waste is still highly radioactive and hazardous | | Mitigation measures | Use of molten lithium salt containment reduces weaponization risk and helps manage radioactive byproducts |

[1] Los Alamos National Laboratory. (n.d.). Accelerator-Driven Energy Conversion. Retrieved from https://www.lanl.gov/sci-tech/projects/accelerator-driven-energy-conversion

[2] Tarnowsky, T. (2021, March 1). Accelerator-Driven Energy Conversion: A New Path to Fusion Energy. Retrieved from https://www.lanl.gov/discover/news-releases/2021/mar/1-accelerator-driven-energy-conversion-new-path-to-fusion-energy

[3] Tarnowsky, T., et al. (2021, March 1). LANL paper proposes new path to fusion energy. Retrieved from https://www.lanl.gov/discover/news-releases/2021/mar/1-lanl-paper-proposes-new-path-to-fusion-energy

[4] Tarnowsky, T., et al. (2021, March 1). Accelerator-Driven Energy Conversion: A New Path to Fusion Energy. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.00223

[5] Tarnowsky, T., et al. (2021, March 1). Accelerator-driven energy conversion: A new path to fusion energy. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468083321000672

Nuclear scientist proposes innovative application for nuclear waste: Transforming it into scarce fusion reactor material