Title :
Radioactive waste storage and disposal
Author :
Murray, Raymond L.
Author_Institution :
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
fDate :
4/1/1986 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A review of the subject of radioactive waste management is provided, including background information, tutorial material, and a status report on U.S. disposal efforts. Topics discussed are: the radioactive decay process; the steps in the nuclear fuel cycle from the mining of uranium to the disposal of wastes; typical uses of isotopes and radiation in which there are waste byproducts; classification of wastes according to type and origin; the nuclear industry\´s problem of accumulation of spent fuel; temporary storage systems; transportation; reprocessing," methods of solidification of wastes; the options available for disposing of high-level wastes, including the preferred mined cavity method; the handling of low-level wastes; the purposes of monitored retrievable storage; studies on waste migration in a geologic medium via groundwater; disposal site characterization studies; and the laws and regulations that govern waste management. The need for public understanding of radioactive wastes in the interest of successful development of energy sources is noted.
Keywords :
Fuel processing industries; Fuel storage; Isotopes; Nuclear fuels; Radio spectrum management; Radioactive decay; Radioactive materials; Radioactive waste; Waste management; Waste materials;
Journal_Title :
Proceedings of the IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/PROC.1986.13505