As we enter the new millenium, the disposal of nuclear waste is a very important factor we must consider for the future generations. Nuclear energy is a very important and dominant as a source of heat energy. It is used to produce steam to drive turbines that generate electricity. Every nuclear plant has its own design, but they each generate heat from nuclear reactors and use this heat to produce steam. The main problem with nuclear energy, however, is the storage and disposal of the waste from the nuclear plants. .
Nuclear energy is usually classified as either 'low level' radioactive waste or 'high level' radioactive waste. Since the level of radioactivity in low level nuclear waste is minimal, the waste includes materials that have come into contact with the radioactive nuclear reactors {e.g. Cooling water pipes} and the materials from radioactive medical procedures {e.g. x-rays}. The decaying period is only 10 to 15 years for the radioactive isotopes. The decaying period in high level nuclear waste is far higher; it can remain radioactive for more than 100 000 years. This waste includes the material from the core of the nuclear reactor itself or nuclear weapons {e.g., uranium, plutonium}. Low level waste is easier to dispose of, whereas high level waste is much more dangerous because of its radioactivity. .
Accounting for 95% of all waste produced by nuclear plants, high level waste is not only extremely dangerous to handle, but it's very difficult to find proper storage sites {which will not allow the waste to spread}. At the present time, nuclear waste is put into steel-lined concrete canisters filled with water and stored near the nuclear plants. However, this method is only temporary and space for this type of storage is limited. .
Many possibilities for waste disposal are being explored. Foe example, there would be an extended amount of storage space if the canisters were placed in the inner rock of a mountainous are.
The concern over time has been the disposal of these wastes. ... Transuranic wastes come from nuclear weapons production and spent fuel reprocessing. ... Avoidance of creating hazardous wastes, avoids both management and disposal costs (Pnl.gov). ... One case that occurred from the exportation of nuclear wastes took place in Malaysia. ... Other means are being explored for the disposal of radioactive wastes. ...
As stated above, the major problem regarding the use of nuclear power is the waste; the "nuclear rods" that are used to heat the water. The common goal in nuclear waste disposal is not simply getting the used nuclear waste away from people, but also from securing it from leaking and contaminating the land and thereby, protecting future human generations. ... Special trucks and train have been designed to cope with the danger associated with transporting nuclear waste. ... Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island incident are still fresh in the minds of nuclear waste storage opponents. ... By ...
Nuclear waste Hypothesis: By dumping nuclear waste into the deserts of western Australia, it may cause a threat to the environment. ... (who have invested $35 million in the projecty) , Swiss rad waste agency, Nagra and Enterra Holdings, Golders parent holding company based also in Canada The idea for the company came out of a discussion between two of Golder's nuclear waste veterans, James Voss and then Golder Chairman, David Pentz, several years ago in which they surveyed the status of nuclear waste disposal programs worldwide. ... The cask is filled with nuclear wa...
The costs, safety, and waste disposal have put a doubt on the future of this energy. ... Like all industrial processes, nuclear power generation has by-product wastes which are radioactive wastes, and hot water. ... Radioactive wastes are the principal environmental concern for nuclear power. Most nuclear waste is low-level nuclear waste. ... Some wastes go to disposal early, others are stored for up to 50 years to enable radioactivity to diminish first. ...
One problem with nuclear energy is the radioactive waste. ... The problem of disposal is a major issue, but the benefits make up for it. I like the idea of sending the waste to Yucca Mountain. ... The people that don't like the use of nuclear energy for the production of electricity think that the disposal problem is major. ... We also a have a location for the disposal of nuclear waste which, if approved will also fix that issue. ...
This situation will continue to get much worse in the next couple of years, as waste disposal apparently is not a top priority for our island's government. To further analyze waste disposal, let's observe some key demographic information about Puerto Rico: A. ... The toxic ashes produced by incineration contain lead, among other toxic metals, similar to the waste produced by nuclear energy. Scientists have stated that it takes nuclear waste approximately 250,000 years to be degraded by the environment. ... Considering all these factors, incinerators are definitely NOT the best solut...
However concerns about the safety of nuclear plants and the disposal of radioactive material have been the subject of many high profile court cases. ... It covers the initial mining of uranium through to its use in reactors and finally its storage or disposal. ... More worrying is the waste products produced in the process. ... This radioactive waste has to be removed from the reactor and disposed of. ... There are worries too about the transportation of nuclear waste for re-processing and storage. ...
The point is though, nuclear energy has WASTE. ... The nuclear waste needs a place to go. ... Nuclear waste is dangerous too. ... Even when you bury nuclear waste, you might think your safe, but in truth you aren't. It contaminates the air: Explosive release of gas from an underground disposal site is possible. ...
NUCLEAR ELECTRICITY REPORT I. ... Provision for geological time-span disposal is not needed 4. ... The waste is more compact than any other source B. ... Requires larger capital cost because of emergency, containment, radioactive waste and storage systems 2. Requires resolution of the long-term high level waste storage issue in most countries 3. ...
