Nuclear power not for poor countries If the U.S. nuclear industry is planning on selling many of its products to lessdeveloped countries, it had better re vise those plans. Further, the Energy Research & Development Administra tion (ERDA) could better serve such countries and U.S. interests by putting its efforts into developing solutions to less-developed countries' energy prob lems that are not tied to any one spe cific energy technology, rather than by indiscriminately promoting the use of nuclear power. These are among the conclusions of a two-year study conducted under con tract to the Atomic Energy Commis sion and later ERDA, by Richard J. Barber Associates Inc., which finds that less-developed countries will be increasingly unwilling to commit themselves to nuclear power. To date such countries have ordered 18 nuclear power plants. Only five plants have been completed, two of which were built by U.S. suppliers. Cost is perhaps the greatest barrier to less-developed countries' acquiring nuclear power plants. According to the report—LDC Nuclear Power Prospects, 1975-1990—the world economic reces sion of the mid-1970's is sharply reduc ing these countries' economic growth
and export earnings at the same time other, less costly energy options is the that the major lending governments, desire to obtain plutonium for national such as the U.S., are cutting back on security or prestige purposes. But the the money flow. And much of the capi same end, the report says, can be tal and foreign exchange of these achieved, if the countries are patient, countries will have to be devoted, over with research reactors or a single nu the next two decades, to coping with clear power station. Thus, it says, the best course for these countries to follow serious food shortages. Thus, most less-developed countries would be to be extremely cautious in just will not have the money to set up making energy policy choices and to and operate nuclear power stations. In place a premium on keeping their en any case, the report says, the future ergy options open until much more is power market of these countries will be known about what will happen to limited to those, such as Brazil, India, world oil production and prices and to Iran, and Mexico, capable of absorbing .other energy sources, such as coal and the output of nuclear power stations of shale oil. Perhaps it is just as well that there 600 Mw or greater capacity. This is be cause most nuclear power plant mak is unlikely to be a mad rush by less-de ers, including those in the U.S., do not veloped countries to buy nuclear power make small- and medium-sized reactors stations. The report points out that, anymore because, in part, the primary should a large market for nuclear fixed costs associated with reactor pro power reactors develop among these duction are basically independent of countries, very serious safeguard ques tions would arise owing both to the in size. Other restraints on less-developed creased availability of plutonium and countries' embracing nuclear power, the number of opportunities that according to the report, include inabil would be created for theft or diversion ity of developed nuclear countries to of such materials. And the report con operate commercial reprocessing facili cludes that neither the structure of the ties, settle on a technically convincing present international safeguards sys approach to waste management, or es tem nor the general organization of the tablish a policy for recycling, handling, worldwide nuclear industry is well suited to the management of a greatly and transporting plutonium. One factor, identified in the report, expanded nuclear market in less-de that might influence less-developed veloped countries. Janice R. Long, C&EN Washington countries to choose nuclear power over
PRODUCT
PROSPECTUS
Odorless
It's Free
water determinations
Micro Reaction Vessel Grunbaum K-F Pipet
In the f i e l d a n d in the lab w i t h one precision L/l aquametry apparatus. L / I ' s i n s t r u m e n t is so s i m p l e t h a t untrained personnel can make a deter mination in 2 minutes with high precision. L / l guarantees 1 % a c c u r a c y , 0 . 5 % repro ducibility over 9 0 % of the range of the instrument (1 p a r t / m i l l i o n to 100% water). L/I's price is $505.00 complete with one quart of K-F reagent, w h i c h is $700 less than comparable instruments. L/I's 6 " χ 1 0 " apparatus uses your Karl F i s c h e r r e a g e n t b o t t l e as a r e s e r v o i r , e l i m i n a t i n g the o d o r s a n d h a z a r d s of transfer. The reaction vessel is an o r d i nary 4 oz. disposable " c r e a m " jar. Using L/I's microreaction vessel —interchange able with the 4 oz. jar —3 nanoliters of water can be measured in 2 ml.
«LABINDUSTRIES 1802V Second Street, Berkeley, Calif. 94710. Telephone (415) 843-0220. Cable LABIND, Berkeley, CA, USA. CIRCLE 45 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Keeping corrosion inhibited means molybdenum. Moly plays a major role in nontoxic aqueous corrosion inhibitors. Just one of its many contributions to a wide range of g r o w i n g chemical applications. As these applications develop, Climax develops its role not only as a raw materials supplier, but also as a source of solid, growing tech nical assistance coupled with an on-going commitment to our customers. For a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , contact H. F. Barry, Manager of Chemical Market Development, Climax Molybdenum Com pany, 3475 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105; (313) 761-2300.
^ *-zi
CLIMAX MOLYBDENUM COMPANY A/VIAX.NC ONE GREENWICH PLAZA, GREENWICH, CONN. 06830 TELEPHONE: (203) 661-3000 CIRCLE 17 O N READER SERVICE CARD
1975-76Catalog offers more than ever before! Inorganic & organometallic research chemicals, ultra pure chemicals, pure metals, alloys & research aids — many new listings — all with in-depth technical and applications data. Compare our prices. Send today! J_
Ventron Corporation Alfa P r o d u c t s . Dept. L 152 A n d o v e r Street. D a n v e r s . M a s s . 0 1 9 2 3 (617) 7 7 7 - 1 9 7 0 NAME: TITLE: COMPANY:. STREET: CITY: STATE:
ZIP
ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ιι CIRCLE 6 0
ON
READER SERVICE
CARD
