BRUC@MIT-ML (10/09/82)
From: BRUC at MIT-ML (Robert E. Bruccoleri)
Without knowing the beta decay rate for a variety of neutron
enriched isotopes, one cannot categorically eliminate transmutation as
a means for eliminating nuclear waste. As long as the steady state
absorption of neutrons by a mix of waste material is less than beta
decay for the mix, and if stable isotopes can be removed efficiently,
the method could work.
It is true that neutron absorption will lead to heavier isotopes,
but they will be more likely to fission. The mean molecular weight for
a continually irradiated mass would not necessarily be very large, and
it may contain a significant quantity of stable isotopes. I would
guess the data is available to simulate this process accurately to
see if it could work.