[cuban leaf]

Not to put too fine a line on it, but my impression is that “fusion based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a melt down, but “Fission based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a rather large, uh, “things go boom”.

But I am no expert and could be wrong about this. I was wrong about something once in the third grade, so it’s possible.

[DuncanWaring]

...but “Fission based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a rather large, uh, “things go boom”.

It's my understanding that in commercial nuclear power plants, intended for the generation of electricity, the enrichment level of the uranium is too low for "boom".

Not absolutely certain, but that's the claim I've heard.

[Zathras]

Actually when things go wrong in Fusion power, it just stops. The toughest part getting the old ‘50s H-bombs working is keeping the reaction going.

The radiation produced cools the reaction below ignition point (near 20M deg with Deuterium-Tridium reaction, 40M with H3 reaction) If I remember correctly, just trying to keep it simple.

[fireman15]

“Not to put too fine a line on it, but my impression is that “fusion based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a melt down, but “Fission based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a rather large, uh, “things go boom”.”

There are no commercially viable “fusion based” nuclear power plants. There probably will not be for another 50 years or so if ever. All nuclear power plants are currently “fission based” the newer designs are extremely safe. According to the article there will be enough fuel to power fission based reactors for thousands of years.

So called “cold fusion” or “low-energy nuclear reactions” (LENR) is still more in the realm of perpetual motion machines. Unfortunately, after several decades there still are no useful heat generators based on this process that have held up to full the scrutiny of the scientific community.

[Sherman Logan]

my impression is that “fusion based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a melt down, but “Fission based” nuclear power, when things go wrong, results in a rather large, uh, “things go boom”.

Nope.

1. There is no "fusion power" now, so things don't go wrong. Fusion power has been "20 years away" for 50 years now.

2. Fission power "may" melt down if things go wrong, but highly dependent on the design of the system. It is supposedly very nearly impossible to make one go "boom," even on purpose.