Hydrogen production coupled to nuclear waste treatment: the safe treatment of alkali metals through a well-demonstrated process

In 1992, the United Nations stressed the urgent need to act against the perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, the worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being. In this framework, taking into account the preservation of both the worldwide energy resources and the ecosystems, the use of nuclear energy to produce clean energy carriers like hydrogen is undoubtedly advisable. But coping fully with the Agenda 21 statements requires defining adequate treatment processes for the nuclear waste. This paper discusses the possible use of a well-demonstrated process to convert radioactively contaminated alkali metals into sodium hydroxide, while producing hydrogen. We conclude that a synergy between Chlor Alkali specialists and nuclear specialists may help in finding an acceptable solution for radioactively contaminated sodium waste.