How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
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How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
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Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#2Uranium is not the only element/mineral of interest that is dissolved in seawater. Research has been done on this stuff before. I'm glad it's being done, but unfortunately this will remain unviable when compared to open-pit or underground mining (even accounting for the risk of depending on foreign suppliers + transportation costs of importing).
The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries we have to worry about cutting off supply anytime soon. We have bigger strategic mineral concerns (REMs and China)
Cool tech, won't leave the lab. Just like the billion "metal-ion/air/water" batteries that get shilled non-stop.
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#3Uranium is not the only element/mineral of interest that is dissolved in seawater. Research has been done on this stuff before. I'm glad it's being done, but unfortunately this will remain unviable when compared to open-pit or underground mining (even accounting for the risk of depending on foreign suppliers + transportation costs of importing). The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries w…
>> The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries we have to worry about cutting off supply anytime soon.
Unless you are Iran. North Korea. Or anyone else currently not able to buy uranium from Canada.
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#4Great, now can anyone build a reactor that will be cheaper than solar + batteries?
Problems like these make me think of jetpacks or flying cars. It turns out that the future isn't what we thought it would be from the sci-fi ideas of the mid 20th century. It's a lot cooler in some ways, and far far more boring in others. (I want my jetpack)
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#5Great, now can anyone build a reactor that will be cheaper than solar + batteries? Problems like these make me think of jetpacks or flying cars. It turns out that the future isn't what we thought it would be from the sci-fi ideas of the mid 20th century. It's a lot cooler in some ways, and far far more boring in others. (I want my jetpack)
For anyone who hasn't seen these yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VPvKl6ezyc
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#6thats a lot of water to pump. I notice they don't mention a cost: spot price for U remains low, and renewables cheaper.
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#7Great, now can anyone build a reactor that will be cheaper than solar + batteries? Problems like these make me think of jetpacks or flying cars. It turns out that the future isn't what we thought it would be from the sci-fi ideas of the mid 20th century. It's a lot cooler in some ways, and far far more boring in others. (I want my jetpack)
No, because the cost of uranium wasn't the reason nuclear power is expensive (and anyway, this doesn't reduce the uranium price, since conventional mines are cheaper still.)
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#8Uranium is not the only element/mineral of interest that is dissolved in seawater. Research has been done on this stuff before. I'm glad it's being done, but unfortunately this will remain unviable when compared to open-pit or underground mining (even accounting for the risk of depending on foreign suppliers + transportation costs of importing). The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries w…
>> The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries we have to worry about cutting off supply anytime soon. Unless you are Iran. North Korea. Or anyone else currently not able to buy uranium from Canada.
Uranium is quite common, if you don't care too much about cost. If you own a house with a suburban lot, the top meter of soil in your yard probably contains several kilograms of uranium.
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
>> The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries we have to worry about cutting off supply anytime soon. Unless you are Iran. North Korea. Or anyone else currently not able to buy uranium from Canada.
Uranium is quite common, if you don't care too much about cost. If you own a house with a suburban lot, the top meter of soil in your yard probably contains several kilograms of uranium.
Several milligrams or kilograms?
Re: How to extract uranium from seawater for nuclear power (2017)
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
>> The biggest reserves are in Canada and Australia, not really countries we have to worry about cutting off supply anytime soon. Unless you are Iran. North Korea. Or anyone else currently not able to buy uranium from Canada.
Uranium is quite common, if you don't care too much about cost. If you own a house with a suburban lot, the top meter of soil in your yard probably contains several kilograms of uranium.
>> the top meter of soil in your yard probably contains several kilograms of uranium.
No. That is way way off. Grams ... more likely milligrams and even that sounds too much.