Nuclear Wastes : Technologies for Separations and Transmutation

Disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production and power generation has caused public outcry and political consternation. Nuclear Wastes presents a critical review of some waste management and disposal alternatives to the current national policy of direct disposal of light water reactor spent fuel. The book offers clearcut conclusions for what the nation should do today and what solutions should be explored for tomorrow. The committee examines the currently used "once-through" fuel cycle versus different alternatives of separations and transmutation technology systems, by which hazardous radionuclides are converted to nuclides that are either stable or radioactive with short half-lives. The volume provides detailed findings and conclusions about the status and feasibility of plutonium extraction and more advanced separations technologies, as well as three principal transmutation concepts for commercial reactor spent fuel. The book discusses nuclear proliferation; the U.S. nuclear regulatory structure; issues of health, safety and transportation; the proposed sale of electrical energy as a means of paying for the transmutation system; and other key issues. Table of ContentsFRONT MATTEREXECUTIVE SUMMARY1 INTRODUCTION2 SUMMARIES OF S&T PROPOSALS AND RADIONUCLIDES RELEASE SCENARIOS IN REPOSITORY3 SEPARATIONS TECHNOLOGY4 TRANSMUTATION SYSTEMS5 DEFENSE WASTES6 ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUESAPPENDIXESA STATEMENT OF WORKB LIST OF COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE ACTIVITIESC BASE CASE ONCE-THROUGH URANIUM FUEL CYCLE FOR LIGHT-WATER REACTOR WITH GEOLOGICAL REPOSITORYD SEPARATIONS TECHNOLOGYE DEFENSE WASTES -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONF TRANSMUTATION CONCEPTSG EFFECTS ON REPOSITORYH NUCLEAR PROIFERATION ISSUESI HEALTH AND SAFETYJ FUEL REPROCESSING ECONOMICSK SUMMARY OF INTERNATIONAL SEPARATIONS AND TRANSMUTATIONS ACTIVITIESL INTERIM REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SEPARATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSMUTATION SYSTEMSM BIOGRAPHIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SEPARATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSMUTATION SYSTEMSN GLOSSARY OF TERMSO ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONSP GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX