Origins and Management of Radioactive Wastes By
The Nuclear Reactor Cycle
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- Summary of Accumulated Radioactive Wastes and Non-wastes in the World to about 2000. Reactor Cycle Stage
5.0 The Nuclear Reactor Cycle
Introduction. The Nuclear Reactor cycle, from uranium mining to final waste disposal, comprises several stages depending upon the reactor design and type, and whether or not spent fuel is re-processed - (the 'Closed Nuclear Fuel cycle') - or stored ('once-through'). Some of these stages are associated with the production of various classes and volumes of radioactive wastes.
The closed-cycle stages from mining to final disposal are shown in the diagram. The numbered stages are described in more detail in the following text. The processes leading up to loading fuel into the reactor are known as the 'front end' of the cycle, and those following discharge of spent fuel from the reactor are known as the 'back end' of the cycle. The 'once-through' cycle foregoes the re-processing option and associated low volumes of wastes (8 and 9) and proceeds through to final disposal of the entire discharged spent fuel load. 'Once-through' operation requires world uranium mining production to be maintained at a relatively high level to keep up with the demand for new fuel. Where natural uranium is used in the reactor, enrichment (2, 3, 4) is not required and reprocessing (8, 9) is not considered at this time as replacement fuel is cheap. Directory: documents documents -> Concept stage documents -> Concept stage documents -> The great global switch-off documents -> Nonprofit grant application documents -> The Truth about the Rwandan Genocide documents -> Annual InStructional unit plan documents -> Chaos equipment included Download 0.89 Mb. Share with your friends:
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