Comments on: Inquisitive Questions on Recycling http://us.arevablog.com/2009/08/05/inquisitive-questions-on-recycling/ Next Energy Blog Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Max Epstein http://us.arevablog.com/2009/08/05/inquisitive-questions-on-recycling/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Max Epstein Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:53:12 +0000 http://us.arevablog.com/?p=851#comment-159 I'd like to repeat a question I originally posted in the blog post after Randal Leavitt's question above. I have heard the argument (including by at least one professor with a related PhD) that the benefits of reprocessing in terms of reducing volume of waste overstate the real benefits, because the reprocessed fuel comes out hotter (or ends up hotter after being run back through a reactor). Since the real constraint on storage capacity of any geologic site is heat load, not volume of the casks, then the heat issue would be a problem if true. But obviously many experts do not seem to agree with this, which I presume means they do not agree that reprocessing and reusing fuel leads the eventual waste to be hotter. If you could help clear this up it would be much appreciated. Thanks. I’d like to repeat a question I originally posted in the blog post after Randal Leavitt’s question above.

I have heard the argument (including by at least one professor with a related PhD) that the benefits of reprocessing in terms of reducing volume of waste overstate the real benefits, because the reprocessed fuel comes out hotter (or ends up hotter after being run back through a reactor). Since the real constraint on storage capacity of any geologic site is heat load, not volume of the casks, then the heat issue would be a problem if true. But obviously many experts do not seem to agree with this, which I presume means they do not agree that reprocessing and reusing fuel leads the eventual waste to be hotter. If you could help clear this up it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

]]>