Impact of nuclear fuel cycle centers on shipping special nuclear materials and wastes

The impact of integrated nuclear fuel cycle facilities on the transportation sector appears from this admittedly rather narrow study to be of only marginal significance. However, there are other factors which must be taken into account such as nuclear safeguards, economics, and radiological, ecological, institutional, and sociological impacts. Unless more clear-cut advantages can be shown by on-going studies for some of these other considerations, the regimentation and control of industry that would result from the imposition of the integrated fuel cycle facility concept probably could not be justified. (auth

Origin, magnitude, and treatment of radioactive wastes

Radioactive wastes in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms are generated wherever radioactive materials are handled. Unlike conventional industrial wastes, most of them are not amenable (within presently available technology) to treatment that can destroy their toxicity. They become innocuous only through natural decay, and many of the isotopes of concern decay so slowly that they must be isolated from the environment for hundreds of thousands of years. The primary objective of nuclear waste management is to protect man and his environment from these materials by providing containment by means that are available within present or near-future technology. The origin and nature of the wastes are reviewed, and the methods of treatment that are in use or that soon can be made available are described

A Review and Analysis of European Industrial Experience in Handling LWR Spent Fuel and Vitrified High-Level Waste

The industrial facilities that have been built or are under construction in France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and West Germany to handle light-water reactor (LWR) spent fuel and canisters of vitrified high-level waste before ultimate disposal are described and illustrated with drawings and photographs. Published information on the operating performance of these facilities is also given. This information was assembled for consideration in planning and design of similar equipment and facilities needed for the Federal Waste Management System in the United States

Management of radioactive wastes

This paper reviews the nature and characteristics of the radwastes, status of the work that has been done, options that are available in waste management, and plans and expectations for the near future. (DLC

Impact on waste management from the beneficial utilization of nuclear wastes

The beneficial utilization of waste, regardless of the form selected, is a type of interim retrievable storage. The waste is not eliminated from the environment; nor are any waste management problems solved. An inventory of all constituents utilized must be maintained, and all materials must eventually be returned to a responsible authority for final disposal. Ultimately, any decision concerning the large-scale utilization of wastes or waste constituents should be based on a detailed risk-cost-benefit analysis that considers the risk of radiation exposure to man. This is in contrast to the economic value of the particular beneficial use, as well as any additional costs to fuel reprocessing and waste management. Such a balanced study has not been made

AN INVESTIGATION OF ThFsub4sub 4-FUSED SALT SOLUTIONS FOR HOMOGENEOUS BREEDER REACTORS

A consideration of the characteristics of fused salt-- ThF/sub 4/ solutions suitable for use in homogeneous reactors is presented, together with a brief survey of the literature pertaining to such solutions and a summary of the experimental work accomplished. (auth

Disposal of radioactive wastes

Radioactive waste management and disposal requirements options available are discussed. The possibility of beneficial utilization of radioactive wastes is covered. Methods of interim storage of transuranium wastes are listed. Methods of shipment of low-level and high-level radioactive wastes are presented. Various methods of radioactive waste disposal are discussed. (DC