NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT

PRESENTED BYABIDULLAH

MPHIL SCHOLAR

OUTLINES NUCLEAR WASTES AND NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES FUNCTIONS PRINCIPLES BASIC STEPS NATIONAL POLICIES OF SOME COUNTRIES TOWARD

NUCLEAR WASTES

NUCLEAR WASTES• Radioactive waste is any material that is either radioactive

itself or is contaminated by radioactivity such as uranium, plutonium and spent nuclear fuel.

CATEGORIES OF NUCLEAR WASTES• The term ‘radioactive waste’ covers a wide variety of

material, and they are categorized as, • High-level waste (HLW)• Intermediate-level waste (ILW)• Low-level waste (LLW)• Very low-level waste (VLLW)

NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENTThe scientific rules and regulations applied to handle the

nuclear wastes coming from nuclear power plants, industries etc are collectively termed as nuclear waste management.

OBJECTIVESThe objective of radioactive waste management is to

control and account for radioactive waste to protect human health and the environment now, but also to make sure we do not leave unnecessary burdens for future generations. The preferred way to do this, where reasonably practical, is to concentrate and contain the waste and to isolate it from the environment. This allows any releases to the environment to be restricted and subject to regulatory control.

FUCNTIONS OF NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT Function of the RWM is to "Dispose of Waste”

directing or controlling any physical activity, operation, or process to accept title to and physical possession of spent fuel and high-level waste, and transporting these wastes to an interim facility (if authorized) for storage and the repository for permanent disposal. Supporting the Dispose of Waste function are three sub functions that the RWMS must perform: Accept and Transport Waste, Store Waste, and Isolate Waste.

PRINCIPLES OF RADIOACCTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT• A strategy should be produced and implemented for

managing radioactive waste on a site.• Where reasonably practicable, radioactive waste

generation should be prevented or minimized both in terms of quantity and activity.

• The accumulation of radioactive waste on site should be minimized.

• Radioactive waste should be stored using good engineering practice and in a passively safe condition.

• Radioactive waste should be processed into a passively safe state as soon as is reasonably practical.

BASIC STEPS IN NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENTPretreatmentIt is the initial step that occurs just after waste

generation. It may involve collection, segregation, chemical adjustment and decontamination and may also include a period of interim storage.

TreatmentTreatment involves changing the characteristics of the

waste by volume reduction, radionuclide removal or change of composition. e.g. Nuclear Transmutation (transmutation by fission)

BASIC STEPS CONT………ConditioningIt involves transforming radioactive waste into a form that is

suitable for handling, transportation, storage and disposal. This might involve immobilization of radioactive waste, placing waste into containers or providing additional packaging.

StorageStorage of radioactive waste may take place at any stage in

the radioactive waste management process and aims to isolate the radioactive waste, help to protect the environment and make it easier to control its disposal. Waste might be stored for many years before it undergoes further processing and disposal. They are stored in wet condition or dry conditions as shown in photos.

Wet storage Dry storage

BASIC STEPS CONT………RetrievalIt involves recovering waste packages from storage either

for inspection, for disposal or for further storage in new facilities.

DisposalIt occurs when packages of radioactive waste are

deposited in a disposal facility with no intention of retrieval. Disposal may also include discharging radioactive wastes such as liquid and gaseous effluent into the environment and transfer of wastes from one site to another.

BASIC STEPS CONT………The following methods are used for the disposal of

nuclear wastes• Immobilize waste in an insoluble matrix such as

borosilicate glass or synthetic rock (fuel pellets are already a very stable ceramic: UO2).

• Seal it inside a corrosion resistant container, such as stainless steel

• Locate it deep underground in a stable rock structure, e.g yucca mountain

• Surround containers with an impermeable backfill such as bentonite clay if the repository is wet

BASIC STEPS CONT………

Yucca Mountain

High-level NuclearWaste Repository

BASIC STEPS CONT………

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NATIONAL POLICIES OF SOME COUNTRIES TOWARD NUCLEAR WASTES

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