Sources of Nuclear Waste: Group 10

SOURCES OF NUCLEAR WASTE
GROUP 10
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
i. Introduction
ii. Importance of Understanding Sources of Nuclear Waste
iii. Sources of Nuclear Waste
iv. Types of Nuclear Waste
v. Management and Disposal of Nuclear Waste
vi. Conclusion
vii. References
INTRODUCTION
• Nuclear waste is a term that is used to describe the radioactive

byproducts of nuclear reactions.
• It is a hazardous material that is produced during the operation of

nuclear power plants, the production of nuclear weapons, etc
• Nuclear waste can pose a significant risk to human health and the
environment if not managed properly, as it can remain radioactive
for hundreds of thousands of years.
• Understanding the sources, types, and risks associated with

nuclear waste is essential for effective management and disposal,
and to ensure the safety of future generations.
IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING
IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING SOURCES OF NUCLEAR WASTE
Understanding the sources of nuclear waste is crucial for several

reasons:
• nuclear waste is a hazardous material that poses significant risks to
human health and the environment if not managed and disposed of
properly.
• nuclear waste is a byproduct of various activities, including nuclear

power production, weapons development, medical and industrial
applications, and research and development.
• nuclear waste is a long-term problem. It remains radioactive for

hundreds of thousands of years, and there is currently no universally
accepted solution for its long-term storage and disposal.
• nuclear waste is a global issue. Many countries produce nuclear

waste, and it is often transported across national borders for storage
and disposal.
A. Nuclear Power Plants

• Spent fuel rods are highly radioactive and dangerous nuclear waste
generated by nuclear power plants during the production of energy.
• Contaminated equipment and materials are another type of nuclear

waste that are contaminated with radioactive isotopes from nuclear
power plants, medical facilities, or industrial activities.
• In addition to spent fuel rods and contaminated equipment and

materials, nuclear reactions can produce other byproducts that can
become nuclear waste.
B. Nuclear Weapons Production
• Materials and equipment become contaminated with radioactive isotopes
and require specialized handling, transportation, and disposal to prevent
exposure to radiation.
• Radioactive materials are often used and can become contaminated with
radioactive isotopes.
C. Medical and Industrial Applications

• Medical imaging procedures, treatments, and industrial applications that use
radioactive isotopes can result in the production of radioactive waste
materials, which require careful monitoring, regulation, and environmental
remediation to ensure their safe handling and disposal.
• Industrial applications that use radioactive isotopes can result in the

production of radioactive waste materials, which require specialized
handling and disposal to prevent exposure to radiation and minimize the
risks associated with nuclear waste.
D. Research and Development

• Radioactive materials used in R&D can become nuclear waste, which
requires specialized handling and disposal to prevent harm to human
health and the environment.
• Radioactive waste generated from experimental activities, including

nuclear research and development, physics research, and nuclear
medicine research, requires careful handling and disposal.
TYPES OF NUCLEAR WASTE
TYPES OF NUCLEAR WASTE
1. Low-level waste (LLW)
• Least harzadous
• example include nuclear waste on protective clothings, tools, etc
• LLW is typically compacted, packaged, and buried in a dedicated landfill or
buried in shallow trenches.
2. Intermediate-level waste (ILW)

• Waste contains higher levels of radioactivity than LLW and requires more
careful handling and storage
• Typically includes resins, filters, and other materials used in nuclear power
plants and medical facilities
• Stored in specially designed containers and buried in geological
repositories or stored above ground.
3. High-level waste (HLW)

• The most hazardous type of nuclear waste and contains extremely high
levels of radioactivity.
• Typically generated from the spent fuel rods used in nuclear reactors.
• Stored on-site at nuclear power plants or in dedicated facilities
MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF NUCLEAR WASTE
• Storage: Storage options include on-site storage at nuclear facilities, above-

ground or below-ground storage facilities, and geological repositories.
• Reprocessing: Reprocessing involves separating the usable materials, such
as plutonium and uranium, from the waste, and can be done using a variety
of chemical processes.
• Deep geological disposal: This involves burying nuclear waste deep
underground in a stable geological formation, where it is isolated from the
environment.
• Transmutation: This involves converting long-lived radioactive isotopes
into shorter-lived, less hazardous isotopes through a process known as
nuclear transmutation.
• Interim storage: This involves storing nuclear waste in a secure facility
until a long-term disposal solution can be identified.
CONCLUSION
• The sources of nuclear waste are diverse and complex.
• Ranging from power generation and medical applications to

research and industrial activities.
• Understanding the sources of nuclear waste and the potential

risks associated with each source is crucial for developing
safe and sustainable solutions for managing and disposing of
nuclear waste.
• By promoting transparency, collaboration, and innovation, we

can continue to advance the safe and responsible use of
nuclear technology while minimizing its environmental
impact and protecting public health and safety.
REFERENCES
• Choppin, G. R. (2006). The recycling of nuclear waste. Journal of Chemical Education, 83(6), 902-
904. doi: 10.1021/ed083p902
• Huijbregts, Z. T., Jung, Y., Hwang, S. J., & Sohn, J. S. (2014). Radioactive waste management:
Nuclear power is not the only producer. Journal of Cleaner Production, 80, 157-164. doi:
10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.05.066
• Lee, H. C., & Jeong, J. H. (2017). Current status and future prospects of radioactive waste
management in South Korea. Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 49(4), 676-684. doi:
10.1016/j.net.2017.02.009
• Mihok, M., & Bartok, L. (2016). Environmental impact assessment of radioactive waste
repositories. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 165, 54-60. doi:
10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.06.013
• Mo, Y., & Ren, T. (2018). Radioactive waste management in China: Progress, challenges and
prospects. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 107, 39-48. doi: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2018.07.00
• International Atomic Energy Agency. (2016). Radioactive waste management glossary. Retrieved
from https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/rwm-glossary-2016.pdf
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Radioactive waste. Retrieved from
https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radioactive-waste
• World Nuclear Association. (2021). Radioactive waste management. Retrieved from
https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-wastes/radioactive-
waste-management.aspx
Thank you

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SOURCES OF NUCLEAR WASTE

ii. Importance of Understanding Sources of Nuclear Waste

iii. Sources of Nuclear Waste

iv. Types of Nuclear Waste

v. Management and Disposal of Nuclear Waste

• Nuclear waste is a term that is used to describe the radioactive

• It is a hazardous material that is produced during the operation of

• Understanding the sources, types, and risks associated with

Understanding the sources of nuclear waste is crucial for several

• nuclear waste is a byproduct of various activities, including nuclear

• nuclear waste is a long-term problem. It remains radioactive for

• nuclear waste is a global issue. Many countries produce nuclear

A. Nuclear Power Plants

• Contaminated equipment and materials are another type of nuclear

• In addition to spent fuel rods and contaminated equipment and

C. Medical and Industrial Applications

• Industrial applications that use radioactive isotopes can result in the

D. Research and Development

• Radioactive waste generated from experimental activities, including

2. Intermediate-level waste (ILW)

3. High-level waste (HLW)

• Storage: Storage options include on-site storage at nuclear facilities, above-

• Ranging from power generation and medical applications to

• Understanding the sources of nuclear waste and the potential

• By promoting transparency, collaboration, and innovation, we

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