Chernobyl disaster: Giant shield begins move towards reactor

a reply to: Soloprotocol

The problem with concrete, even modern mixes, even some sort of ferrocrete (similar to that used in bank vault walls) is that moisture will ALWAYS present a significant risk to any structure built with it. Constant maintenance, careful control of the mixture as it is poured, significant time and man hours of on site labour is required to ensure that the mixture is evenly spread, perfect in consistency, and fills the space entirely.

That is just not practical on a job like this, and because the sarcophagus itself is already compromised, meaning that its structure will have begun to erode, crack and expand, AND because the way in which it has been compromised means that simply filling cracks will not cut it, a new and better solution had to be found. Adding layer after layer of concrete now, is simply a short term can kicking exercise. But putting this structure in place, with its overhead robotic crane assemblies, will allow the crumbing structure of the building to be taken apart safely, AND provide a shield around the danger area which is supposed to last one hundred years or so, a much longer span of life than any concrete solution would have provided. Because this is not just a shield but a machine of sorts, it has the added benefit of actually being able to render the area safer structurally, which will extend the period of time before the next solution has to be found, which will give technology and nuclear scientists time, to evolve a solution which might see the radiological threat nullified.

Material science is evolving rapidly. We already have batteries which operate by way of sandwiching what is essentially small amounts of nuclear waste, between layers of dimpled silicon, such that the shed energy can become useful power, while encapsulating the dangerous material all at the same time. Perhaps a massive version of such a thing could be constructed around the site in times to come. Who knows. The point is, this solution seems to be the most effective, long term plan available, and unlike toshing the surface of the sarcophagus over, will allow for work on the site to be carried out without nearly so much risk to life and limb as is currently the case.

It is done , the shield is now in place.


Now to sort out Fukushima.