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Windbourne's avatar

Most nuclear power plants make use of nearly all of their heat and typically do not have a lot of higher temp heat left over.

HOWEVER, what would it take to use the 'spent fuel' as a district heater?

Embed in concrete under a police building, and then simply have steam pipes run through it.

If done up right, this would help use up some of the leftover energy.

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Robert Hargraves's avatar

Most nuclear plants have electric/thermal efficiency near 33%. The rest goes into condenser cooling water. Yes, it is lower temperature heat, but useful for building heating.

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Windbourne's avatar

My understanding was that today's reactors are closer to 50% or more and that the amount of heat coming out was minor.

Still, something like what I am suggesting, if it works, would be useful INSIDE of cities, universities, etc.

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david tremain's avatar

Free waste heat ❗️

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