A new study by Terence Tarnowsky, a nuclear physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, explores a potential solution to the tritium shortage that hinders nuclear fusion. The researchers suggest using radioactive waste material to produce tritium, a fundamental ingredient for fusion reactions.
Currently, nuclear power plants rely on fission, which produces long-lived radioactive byproducts and requires massive management efforts. In contrast, fusion reactors aim to release energy from the combination of two lightweight hydrogen isotopes (tritium and deuterium). However, finding a reliable source of tritium has proven challenging due to its extreme rarity and instability.
Tarnowsky’s proposal involves employing a superconducting linear accelerator to trigger the decay of uranium and plutonium atoms in nuclear waste, producing tritium through neutron bursts and other nuclear transitions. This method could potentially yield more than 10 times as much tritium as a fusion reactor at the same thermal power.
While there are concerns about the feasibility and safety of this approach, Tarnowsky remains optimistic about its potential to accelerate the development of nuclear fusion. He emphasizes the need for long-term planning and cooperation between public and private sectors to overcome the challenges associated with this technology.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-pitch-bold-plan-to-turn-nuclear-waste-into-nuclear-fuel-2000643875