Dr. Hans Leuenberger

Abstract:

Radioactive waste of fission reactors is a problem and needs special treatment for keeping it at a safe location, so that radioactive waste can decay without contaminating the environment. Radioactive waste is the product of the nuclear absorption of neutrons (n, g) in a fission nuclear power plant for achieving electricity without using fossil fuels releasing CO₂. ¹Interestingly, this nuclear reaction (n, g) can be reversed by inducing a photonuclear reaction (g, n) If the corresponding g - ray source is available. Interestingly, this g - ray source has to be in resonance with the original (n, g) reaction. Angelo Comunetti could show with his experiments that he could reverse the reaction (n, g) of ¹⁹⁷Au->¹⁹⁸Auand in addition induce (g, n) reactions of ¹⁹⁷Au -> ¹⁹⁶Pt. Thus, Angelo Comunetti started to doubt that Neutron Activation Analysis NAA is always working since his subsequent NAA showed that no more Au was present…

Interestingly, Angelo Comunetti also was able to demonstrate that he could induce the photonuclear reaction (g, n) in case of ²⁴Na -> leading to ²³Na and to (g, n) of ²³Na leading to ²²Na, respectively to the volatile ²²Ne.

Conclusion: The original reaction (g, n) is reversible and it is feasible to transform the radioactive waste of fission power plants into non-radioactive waste, which does not need to be buried in a safe location.