Chapter 141 Arrows and Bows
Levis simply ignored Li Qingye's Versailles and looked at the pile of mud in front of him, his eyes filled with excitement.
100 kg of crude uranium contains about 0.8 kg of uranium. After uranium-enriching bacteria remove part of the uranium 238, only 75 grams of uranium remains.
Of these 75 grams of uranium, the content of uranium 235 is about 7.5%, or about 5.6 grams, and the rest is uranium 238 .
Although this concentration is not high, to Levis, who majored in nuclear physics, this concentration is simply sky-high.
After all, the uranium 235 concentration in current civilian-grade nuclear reactors is generally below 5%.
In other words, after extraction and processing, the mud in front of us can be directly used as nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors.
This is also why Levis was amazed by this technology: it is cheap, efficient, and very concealed.
Using this technology, even a small country like Hongsavadi with very poor supporting facilities can produce high-concentration weapons-grade uranium 235.
In fact, the design principles of the atomic bomb can be found on many nuclear physics academic websites. Except for the principles of the hydrogen bomb which are partially blocked, the principles of other nuclear reactions are not difficult to find.
Levis could even design a hydrogen bomb.
But that's not the point.
The key to nuclear weapons actually lies in uranium enrichment technology.
Currently, the most efficient industrial uranium enrichment technology is the centrifugal separation method. This technology has a huge threshold and not only requires a large investment, but also causes a lot of noise.
Why were the great powers able to quickly discover Persia and North Korea's nuclear experiments? The reason is that the centrifugal separation method requires the use of a large number of multi-stage ultra-high-speed centrifuges, which not only occupy a very large area, but also consume an astonishing amount of electricity.
Large-scale uranium enrichment facilities can be discovered through satellite remote sensing.
As for building facilities in mountains or underground, this plan is obviously not feasible, mainly because the scale is too large. Such underground facilities are not affordable for ordinary small countries, and those who have the ability to build underground facilities do not need to do it secretly.
Levis is now very excited. He is not a pacifist. He was blacklisted by Western academic institutions because of his pro-nuclear remarks in Luzon.
His ideas are very radical. He believes that only by possessing nuclear weapons can small countries resist the bullying of the great powers. Even if they cannot build nuclear bombs, they must build a large number of nuclear power plants to force the great powers to be cautious.
When Li Qingye secretly invited him, this guy threw himself into his arms.
In order to realize his dream, he divorced his wife, faked his death and left, coming to a small valley in Hongsawadi.
Today, Levis finally saw hope.
Inside the base's meeting room.
Li Qingye, Kevin, Wu Hu, Levis and others gathered together.
Kevin calculated the current uranium raw material reserves: "Based on the current uranium crude material reserves, we can extract 170 kilograms of uranium 235 from it.
"Dr. Lewis, how many atomic bombs can be produced with 170 kilograms of uranium 235?" Li Qingye asked.
Levis thought for a moment and said, "If we use relatively primitive and mature technology, 50 kilograms of uranium 235 can make one 300,000-kilo equivalent atomic bomb, and 170 kilograms can make three."
After hearing the data, Li Qingye thought for a while and made a decision: "OK, I understand. Let's use the mature old-fashioned technology to make three 300,000-ton atomic bombs first."
"Li, how do we conduct the experiment? After all, I have only studied the theoretical framework of this thing, and it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no problems in practical application." Levis reminded hesitantly.
Li Qingye shook his head: "In the short term, live ammunition testing is definitely not feasible. How about using laser focusing experiments and graphite slow neutron reactors?"
"Laser focusing? This can solve part of the problem. I'm also working on the graphite slow neutron reactor. But compared to the live ammunition detonation test, there may be some errors." Levis said helplessly.
Li Qingye was not disappointed. "It's good that we can get the data. We can't confront the great powers head-on in a short period of time. We need to stockpile at least 100 atomic bombs or develop hydrogen bombs before we can conduct live-fire tests."
"Speaking of hydrogen bombs, can our bio-enrichment process be used to extract heavy water?" Levis asked.
Li Qingye touched his chin. "During the process of developing uranium-enriching bacteria this time, I discovered more than a dozen special gene sequences that can effectively distinguish minute differences in isotopes. As long as I adjust the genes and test them for a longer period of time, I should be able to screen out some fungi that are suitable for enriching heavy hydrogen."
"Then I suggest building a number of heavy hydrogen enrichment plants. Anyway, we already have uranium bombs for nuclear fission, which can be used as atomic triggers for nuclear fusion."
Li Qingye turned his head and said, "Kevin, you will be responsible for the implementation. Use the production of seaweed and methane as an excuse to open a batch of heavy hydrogen enrichment plants."
"Yes, boss." Kevin nodded.
After the meeting.
Li Qingye was still staying in the base of Black Tiger Canyon, thinking about another problem.
That's the problem with the vehicle.
To form a nuclear deterrent, it is not enough to have nuclear bombs alone, but also to have sufficiently powerful long-range delivery vehicles.
In fact, Sapiens is already conducting research and development in this area.
For example, the Typhoon series of cruise missiles developed by the previous subsidiary, Exocet.
Of course, if possible, Li Qingye also hopes that the Homo Sapiens Company will have a formal intercontinental ballistic missile.
He looked through the various technologies on the biological laptop computer, hoping to integrate the technologies currently owned by Sapiens into technologies that could be used on intercontinental ballistic missiles.
First of all, there is no need to worry too much about nuclear warheads. Although the nuclear fuel utilization rate of nuclear bombs produced by old-fashioned technology is lower than that of the latest modern technology, the deterrent effect is stronger.
After all, the older the technology, the more serious the residual radioactive material after detonation. To some extent, this is also an advantage that makes opponents afraid to act rashly.
Now the key is the vehicle itself.
"Maybe..." After seeing the crystal sponge technology, he suddenly thought of a plan.
Modern intercontinental missiles are mainly divided into two types of fuel, one is solid fuel and the other is liquid fuel that can be stored at room temperature.
Solid fuel usually accounts for the vast majority, while liquid fuel is used in high-thrust space launch vehicles.
The main reason for this situation is that liquid fuels are either not suitable for long-term storage or are highly toxic.
However, the crystal sponge technology of Sapiens can store methane, and after storage, it can remain solid at room temperature and pressure, and can be stored for a long time.
Compared with the missiles or launch vehicles currently used by various countries, if crystal sponges are used as fuel storage tanks, the production process and supporting facilities requirements will be greatly reduced.
The more Li Qingye thought about it, the more he felt that this was a good direction.
He quickly asked the Hongsawadi branch to find a small mountain basin in the northern Kachin State as a research and development base for methane rocket engines.
Of course, this base can also undertake the future aerospace industry of the Homo Sapiens company.
Li Qingye will stay in Hongsawadi in the near future. On the one hand, it is to adjust the layout of various industries, and rocket engines, missiles, and aerospace industries are the key.
On the other hand, it is also to inspect Hongsavadi and see the development of this branch.
After receiving his instructions, the Hongsawadi branch quickly implemented them.
This mode of operation is also one of the current advantages of the Intelligent Company. There are no people who argue or enrich themselves internally, and the utilization rate of various resources has increased sharply.
