U.S. program assessing nuclear waste disposal in space - A status reportVarious concepts for the space disposal of nuclear waste are discussed, with attention given to the destinations now being considered (high earth orbit, lunar orbit, lunar surface, solar orbit, solar system escape, sun). Waste mixes are considered in the context of the 'Purex' (Plutonium and Uranium extraction) process and the potential forms for nuclear waste disposal (ORNL cermet, Boro-silicate glass, Metal matrix, Hot-pressed supercalcine) are described. Preliminary estimates of the energy required and the cost surcharge needed to support the space disposal of nuclear waste are presented (8 metric tons/year, requiring three Shuttle launches). When Purex is employed, the generated electrical energy needed to support the Shuttle launches is shown to be less than 1%, and the projected surcharge to electrical users is shown to be slightly more than two mills/kW-hour.
Document ID
19810034020
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rice, E. E. (Battelle Columbus Laboratories Columbus, Ohio, United States)
Priest, C. C. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Advanced Systems Office, Huntsville, Ala., United States)
Friedlander, A. L. (Science Applications, Inc. Schaumburg, Ill., United States)