AboutBill Mihalovits Expertise I can answer questions about general construction and safety of plants, specific questions about operations, training, reactor theory, and thermodynamics. Will also consider other aspects as requested.
Experience Over 33 years in the nuclear power field, licensed senior reactor operator, and instructor.
Question Dear Bill:
I write mystery-suspense novels. In a current project I have a situation where a dirty bomb has been planted (I know it's been done and done before) and the hero has to find a plausable way
to disarm it. Every book and flick I've seen has an exotic aparatus with than darn digital clock clicking away. This is an unsophisticated bomb, and I'm hoping to find a way for it to be stopped in a crisis situation by someone not an expert, an
arson investigator. Could there be a scenario where he could somehow freeze something in the device with say a CO2 extinguisher, until the real experts show up.
Hope I'm not waisting your time.
Jerry Kennealy
Answer First, I need to apologize for taking so long to answer. I was on vacation and forgot to update my profile here.
My expertise is in nuclear power, not nuclear weapons. However, freezing won't stop a nuclear reaction. The CO2 might stop the battery since batteries are very sensitive to cold, but I couldn't say with any certainty. I'd suggest that you find someone with the expertise on bombs and find out what type of battery is used. Then go ahead and dump CO2 on that type of battery and try to use it. Perhaps your person could disable the battery long enough to yank the wires off the detonator?
