Topical

 

Nuclear option.

I’ve just been sent a document from a  reader of this blog. The document is worrying, in that it’s conclusions are that we need to build new nuclear plants. And quick if we’re not going to build more coal and gas powered generating plants. Here’s just a small segment of the article.

This is from the paragraph headed “Reducing emissions”.

It needs to be appreciated that the fossil fuel removed has to be replaced by electricity because this is what nuclear, wind, wave, solar deliver. On these figures, by 2027 we would need to build 140 + 288 = 428 TWh of new electricity output; by 2050, 428 + 653 = 1081TWh. These figures should be compared with the total UK electricity production in 2008 of around 360 TWhr.

The number of installations required to generate the electricity to replace fossil fuels (see Table 2) depend on their capacity and availability. A 1,600 MW Areva-type nuclear reactor working at 80% availability generates 11 TWh/y, so around 13 would need to be built to meet the 2020 target; an impossible task. A 3 MW wind turbine with 75m blades on an 80m mast onshore has achieved average availability of around 24%,while for offshore 30% future availability is claimed yielding 6.3 GWhy and 7.9 GWh/y respectively. To meet the 2020 target would require 20,000 and 16,000 turbines respectively; an equally impossible task over the next nine years (six to be built every day). The 2027 target is even further out of reach.

I think I can safely say. We’re screwed. I’m off to buy some more candles.

There’s a little bit more over at Bishop Hill

An interesting Hobby.

A Swedish man has been arrested after attempting to split atoms in his kitchen, claiming that he was only doing it as a “hobby”.

I must say that I’ve never thought of taking up a hobby like that. Mmmmm.

Handl, 31, said he had tried for months to set up a nuclear reactor at home and kept a blog about his experiments, describing how he created a small meltdown on his stove.

The best bit about the article is the comments that follow.

“If he sold his story to the tabloids, he could make a bomb.”

And

“I think my wife split some atoms in our kitchen this evening.
She called it 'dinner', but I have my doubts.   If I glow later on, Let me know.”

And

“Didn't he know that the easiest way to split atoms is to put them in a box marked "Fragile" and send it through the post?”

And

“Blue Peter has much to answer for “

Finally another man who won’t be getting any how’s your father any time soon.

“Judging from my wife's attempts at cooking and the frequent 'meltdowns' which occur in our kitchen,  I think she has proven beyond all doubt that 'cold fusion' DOES exist.”

The BBC’s disaster

I watched the BBC today with disgust. Because of the Japanese reactor problems, (I won’t call them a disaster, as I’m amazed that the power plant could withstand simultaneously, an 8.9 Richter scale earthquake and a tsunami at the same time,), their green credentials were shining through like a world war two searchlight. They were in a state of near hysteria in trying to get the message across that Nuclear, was the spawn of the devil. However it was  their own choice of nuclear experts that did much to scupper their aim at taking us back to the stone age. Twice I saw experts calmly state that the radiation releases were what was to expected when you prevent a dangerous over pressurising of the containment vessel, by releasing gases to the atmosphere. And more so that the levels were no cause for alarm. The presenters hated that.

When I consider that the 50 or so plant operatives and the local emergency services must be working in such hard and dangerous circumstances, I’m amazed at what they’ve accomplished.

Of course you hear nothing from the BBC of the heroism that is going on by the minute.

Then again the BBC only has one agenda. It doesn’t do normal.

And before you tell me that I don’t know what I’m talking about. I passed,  first in my class in NBCD (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical warfare, and damage Control). And I held a Nuclear Secret vetting until I retired.

Going nuclear.

 

Further to my search for alternative power, to light and heat F.E. towers, See Here and Here, I’m going for more bangs for the bucks.

Damn wind power and solar, now’s the time for the big one.

First the shopping list.

*Finds blank fag packet*

Containment vessel. Yup, I’ve got an old hot water tank somewhere.

Pump. Check. Pond pump still works.

Heat exchanger. Check. Remove radiator from wife’s car.

Concrete shielding. B & Q here I come.

Wood for shuttering the concrete. Check. Can use the timber from the garden shed.

Turbine. Ok I’ll use they central heating pump as a turbine generator.

Need secondary circuit pump.

*Scratches head*

That’s the washing machine out of action. Better tell Mrs F.E that it’s broken and she’ll have to do the washing by hand for a while.

Fuel. Easy. Ebay must have plenty of old watches for sale with luminous radioactive dials.

Pipe. The kids have moved out so I’ll use the central heating pipes from their bedrooms.

Right, can anyone find fault with this specification? Answers please or Kent gets it. Spectacularly.

*Crumples up fag packet. Job done*

Will they, won’t they.

 

An article hidden away in The Daily Mail (I’m sorry), caught my eye today. John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the UN has brought up a subject that has slipped from public view. In his article he considers that Israel has only three days in which to launch an attack on the Iranian reactor at Bushehr. The reason being that the reactor will be loaded with nuclear fuel on Saturday.

The question really is, will Israel mount a pre-emptive strike to prevent Iran being able, in the future to manufacture nuclear weapons? They have done it before.