Sunday, October 31, 2021

Air Force to Test Micro-Reactors

 The Stars and Stripes is reporting that the Air Force is planning to test micro nuclear reactors at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.

The Air Force is planning to test a nuclear micro-reactor at a base in Alaska in coming years as part of the service’s quest for reliable energy sources on its installations.

Correct me if I"m wrong, bu hasn't the Navy been doing this for years on their  Nimitz class air bases?  And on most of he submarine fleet?  Seems like the Air Force could hire a couple of salty old master-chiefs as contractors and have this thing up and running in a couple of weeks.

Changing the subject a bit, I've always wondered why we don't have truck-mounted reactors that could be used to provide electrical power after a natural disaster.  This doesn't seem like much of a stretch.  Mount the damn ting in a shipping container, hook it to a truck, and take it where you need it.  I admit that I am totally ignorant about nuclear reactors, but it seems like we should have figured this out by now.

But, kudos to the Air Force.  This seems like a good idea.

6 comments:

Sabre22 said...

I have been reading about Micro reactors for years It sounds like a great idea to me. That's why it will NEVER happen. Also when the powerlines are replaced put them UNDERGROUND away from the wind and trees in a watertight pipe to each building

Fred said...

Personally, I hope no more reactors are ever built. I am all for cheap energy, but when the damn thing breaks there is too much danger to me and my family.

Old NFO said...

Cooling is the issue... Fred- Don't ever go to Europe then... LOTS of reactors over there!

Fred said...

Fortunately I do not plan on going to europe. But cooling for reactors is not the issue. Humans are the issue. Humans always use shortcuts, lower grade materials, wrong think all the way around as far as reactors are concerned. Because they always gotta cut those costs. Look at fukushima, everyone thought those were safe. Chernobyl, 3 mile island.

Jonathan H said...

The push for small reactors took a BIG hit with the SL-1 accident in 1961, plus the accident in Antarctica later.
The challenge is making them light enough to be portable while still having full safety systems and shielding.

Ratana said...

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