Attached are instructions on how to Build a Nuclear Reactor

Attached are instructions on how to \"Build a Nuclear Reactor\" from Dr. Stupid\'s Laboratory.  I have been able to find just one technical flaw (with no calculations necessary) to their design.  Please find and correct the one “design flaw.\"  Note this flaw has nothing to do with their sense of humor; rather it is one severe technical misunderstanding by the author of the instructions.

holes with the control rod sleeves Insert a garden hose in one of the 5/8 holes, and fill the trash can right to the top. Heavy water is best harn (ff you liv. near a nu- clear power piant, you may al- raady be getting heavy water from your tep. If not, plain water will do.) Build a Nuclear Reactor\" A back-yard nuclear reactor is easy to build, and a fas- cinating educational project. It can also produce an inex- pensive supply of hot water-handy in these days of high fuel bills Just follow these step-by-step instructions. You will need . A 32-gallon plastic trash can (heavy-duty, and preferably with locking handles to discourage in- quisitive pets and children) 45 feet of 3* PVC plumbing pipe 10 foet of 2PVC plumbing pipe A keyhole saw A hacksaw A second garden hose will carry the heated water out, provided the can is higher than the end of the hose. NOTE: Before doing steps 4 & 5\' bo sure to Insert the control rods into their sleeves. Other wise, there is the risk of a \"run- away\" reaction. The inserted rods will stick up six inches above the lid, so you can grasp them for re- moval 6. Push the meat thermometer into the small hole in the lid. Now by altering the fiow of water from the faucet, and by removing more or fewer control rods, you should be able to maintain constant Duct tape 12 standard 75 mm rods of U* 1. Cut your three-inch piping into 28 lengths-nineteen in all. Posi- tion the sections vertically in the trash can as shown. A few inches of sand in the bottom will help 3. Now for the control rods. Cut hold them if necessary 2. With the keyhole saw, cut seven seven in al. Seal one end securely tempeature inside the reactor the smaller pipe into 34 lengths- holes in the trash can lid, corre with duct tape. Fill each rod to the sponding to the locations of the top with an appropriate damping pipes in the diagram (color) material. The \"pros\" use graphite, These re for inserting your con. but a good potting soil will work troi rods. Cut three more smaler nicely holes as shown, 4. Slide the fuel rods into the cor rect pipes, following the diagram. CONTROL ROD Safety first! Wea gardening gloves when handiing the U 5. Pop on the lid, lining up the You can use the hot water you produce to run a toy tur- bine, heat your doghouse, or fill a hot tub. Any overflow can irrigate your garden, where it will often produce beautiful and unusual foliage. Always dispose of spent fuel rods properly ARRANGEMENT OF FUEL & CONTROL Uw rods can often be obtained through local hobby or terrorist groups. Or order by mail from Bud\'s Scientific Supply, 1113 E. 7th St, Slagheap, NJ 08865. You must state that you ere over twenty-one LID SLEEVE

Solution

Major design flaw is use of plastic trash can. Nuclear reactors use thick concrete shileds. Use of plastic can we cause leakage of radiation into the environment. Therefore instead of a plastic can, concrete dome should be used.