Operation Plowshare.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'O')peration Plowshare, better known as Project Plowshare, not to be confused with the anti-nuclear Plowshares Movement, was the overall United States term for the development of techniques to use nuclear explosives for peaceful construction purposes.
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nuclear explosives for peaceful construction purposes.
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nuclear explosives for peaceful construction purposes.
by TheDude » Tue 26 Jun 2007, 05:39:04
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')uggested usage
Proposed uses included widening the Panama Canal, constructing a new sea-level waterway through Nicaragua, cutting paths through mountainous areas for highways, and for connecting inland river systems. Other proposals involved blasting underground caverns for water, natural gas, and petroleum storage. Serious consideration was also given to using these explosives for various mining operations. One proposal suggested using nuclear blasts to connect underground aquifers in Arizona. Another plan involved surface blasting on the western slope of California's Sacramento Valley for a water transport project. At the end of the program, a major objective was to develop nuclear explosives, and blast techniques, for stimulating the flow of natural gas in "tight" underground reservoir formations.
Nuclear explosives have not been used for commercial engineering purposes in the United States, but the concept has been tested.
Heinberg said in an interview that they were considering using nukes to fry oil shale or tar sands in the 60s; also possibly diverting the Mississipi for water input...anybody bat around these notions anymore? Think it could be done?
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Re: Operation Plowshare
by Opies » Tue 26 Jun 2007, 14:10:05
I think, especially on a nuclear level, that carving out the planet for our unsustainable needs it just going to leave more problems for future generations, or for own own generation in the not so distant future. I can't see how this would be anything other than a bad idea all around.
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Re: Operation Plowshare
by steam_cannon » Tue 26 Jun 2007, 14:38:27
I've heard of these programs before. Interesting ideas, but the process wasn't used due to cost and concerns over radioactive contamination. However, we might see some more of that technology if people get desperate enough. The idea was looked into because radioactivity was considered safer back then. And in a more desperate future, low level radioactivity might be the least of our worries.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')After the test it was found that the blast cavities had not connected as hoped, and the resulting gas still contained unacceptable levels of radionuclides... The contaminated well gas was never channeled into commercial supply lines."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plowshare
This for example, it wouldn't surprise me if this Radioactive Natural Gas test field might come back on line for industrial use in the future.$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')After the test it was found that the blast cavities had not connected as hoped, and the resulting gas still contained unacceptable levels of radionuclides... The contaminated well gas was never channeled into commercial supply lines."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plowshare
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Re: Operation Plowshare
by TheDude » Tue 26 Jun 2007, 14:54:42
I'm not in favor of it by any means, just wondering if any work had been conducted on it lately. I wouldn't be surprised to see it implemented anyway down the road. It'd be a lot simpler than trying to build in situ CANDU reactors.
Was listening to Julian Darley talk about some Welsh miners ("brought over after Maggie Thatcher was done with them!" Julian's good fun to listen to) who actually excavated underneath some of the tar sands. That's a good image to bring up when explaining to people what goop this stuff really is.
Was listening to Julian Darley talk about some Welsh miners ("brought over after Maggie Thatcher was done with them!" Julian's good fun to listen to) who actually excavated underneath some of the tar sands. That's a good image to bring up when explaining to people what goop this stuff really is.
Cogito, ergo non satis bibivi
And let me tell you something: I dig your work.
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Re: Operation Plowshare
by Tanada » Tue 26 Jun 2007, 18:53:38
IIRC several gas fields and at least one oil field in the FSU used nuclear stimulation quite successfully. I will see if I can find any links and post them if I do.
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To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
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Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
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