Chapter 9 - Radioactive waste minimization and management

Abstract

Radioactive waste is the waste that emerges after the use of radioactive elements in nuclear reactors, during the production of nuclear weapons or during accidents. Radioactive waste management is a required step to deal with it because the exploitation of radioactive materials was carried out on a vast scale in recent decades, producing a massive volume of radioactive waste. Irradiation from radioactive waste will have major negative effects on both people and the environment if it is not disposed of properly. Global nuclear energy expansion is required to meet rising energy needs and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Almost every international energy forecast indicates that nuclear power generation will increase significantly during the next 30–50 years. Radioactive waste generation is projected to rise as commercial nuclear power production expands. According to the activity level, low-level waste, intermediate-level waste and high-level waste are three general categories for radioactive waste. After that a further classification is also done that divides this waste into two categories: short-lived and long-lived, taking into account radioactive half-lives. Before moving the waste to the treatment phase, that is, volume reduction, waste immunization and shielding, some wastes are kept in an interim storage area until the disposal facility is built in the ground. For the safety of the people and environment, radioactive wastes are governed and regulated by the government. Countries divide their radioactive waste into different categories and established different management strategies for each group based on waste generation and the level of danger of the substances. Radioactive waste management challenges are now getting more focus and are actually being taken into account as the international community looks into more advanced nuclear fuel cycles. This attention is required to ensure that upcoming nuclear fuel cycles maintain their competitiveness in the economic, environmental and legacy waste management.