Liquid Nuclear Waste

Liquid Nuclear Waste is a liquid element produced by several radioactive processes and used as a radioactive byproduct in the late game. It is most directly associated with nuclear power and radiation handling, and can be obtained from the Research Reactor during normal operation or a meltdown. It also appears indirectly from radiation-related debris and can be collected after cooling and liquefaction.

Several sources create or lead to Liquid Nuclear Waste:

• The Research Reactor produces it while operating normally and also during a runaway meltdown.
• The Radbolt Engine releases Nuclear Fallout while running; once that fallout cools and liquefies, it becomes Liquid Nuclear Waste.
• A dead Radiation Bug drops 1000 g of supercooled Liquid Nuclear Waste.
• Each unit of radbolts colliding with Duplicants, Critters, or other radbolts releases 1 g of Nuclear Fallout, which becomes Liquid Nuclear Waste after cooling and liquefying.

In practice, this means Liquid Nuclear Waste is usually part of a radiation-processing chain rather than a primary resource. Players commonly encounter it near nuclear installations, around radiation-heavy transport systems, or as a residue from disposing of radioactive materials. Because it is tied to fallout and reactor output, it is best handled in controlled storage or containment setups rather than left exposed in a base.

When planning logistics, Liquid Nuclear Waste can be loaded into Rocket Cargo systems when the setup is correct. It automatically links when built beside a Rocket Platform or another Rocket Port, and multiple loaders can be linked to fill a tank faster. The building uses the liquid filters configured on the linked Rocket Platform. However, a Large Liquid Fuel Tank cannot be loaded using this building, so it is not a universal solution for rocket fueling infrastructure.

Its main strategic value is in the management of radioactive byproducts: it allows fallout and reactor waste to be collected instead of spreading through the colony, and it gives players a liquid form that can be piped, stored, or transported like other liquids. Keeping the radiation source and the cooling point under control is important, since much of its acquisition depends on turning Nuclear Fallout into a liquid state rather than producing it directly.