Abstract
The importance of uranium-generated nuclear power is discussed. The review forecasts severe shortages of oil and natural gas in 25 years, and their depletion in 40 years. With a moratorium on burning coal to prevent global warming, it is shown that uranium-produced electricity and heat is essential for large-scale future productions of synfuels (hydrogen, ammonia, hydrazine, and alcohol) made from air, water, and sunshine to replace the portable petro-fuels presently propelling our vast transportation fleets. Generation of 'renewable' solar and wind power is helpful but, unlike nuclear energy, is unable to provide the enormous quantities of prime energy needed for economic manufacture of synfuels to replace fossil fuels. Uranium fission power as a primary energy source is available for 1,500 years to provide all the world's needs for electricity and synfuels at an affordable cost. By manufacturing synthetic fuels from air and water with nuclear heat or electricity, non-portable nuclear energy is in effect converted to portable fuel energy.
The introduction of the book outlines its objectives and reviews four options for combating the upcoming out-of-oil crisis. The second chapter lists common misconceptions about nuclear energy to allay public fears of this all-important energy source. It is followed in a third chapter with a survey of energy consumption rates on planet earth. The fourth chapter is devoted to synfuel production, engines, and fuel-cells that convert the chemical energy of synfuels into locomotion. The last four chapters cover nuclear reactor operations, radiation effects, safety, nuclear weapons proliferation issues, and action items. A university-level education is not required for understanding the book, but exposure to some high-school physics and chemistry will be helpful.
Post a comment