What is Nuclear Waste?
Nuclear waste is generated from the fission process in nuclear reactors, where neutrons bombard atomic nuclei, causing them to split and release energy along with new, often radioactive, elements. Spent fuel, a major source of nuclear waste, contains radioactive fission products from the energy production process and elements created through neutron absorption and subsequent radioactive decays. This waste is highly radioactive and poses significant challenges for safe storage and management.
How is Nuclear Waste Handled?
Nuclear waste management involves several steps to ensure safety and minimize environmental impact. Initially, spent fuel is stored underwater to cool and shield its radioactivity. After cooling, it can be transferred to dry cask storage for longer-term containment. Some waste is treated and stored on-site at nuclear power stations, while high-level waste may be vitrified for more secure storage. Reprocessing spent fuel to separate fissile materials for reuse is another strategy, though it requires specialized facilities and poses proliferation concerns.
Storage and Disposal Strategies
Countries with nuclear power programs have developed various strategies for storing nuclear waste, including:
• Dry Cask Storage: Cooled spent fuel is placed in large steel cylinders filled with inert gas, then sealed and stored in steel or concrete chambers.
• Geological Disposal: Waste is sealed in special containers and buried deep underground in stable geological formations, isolating it from human activity.
• Reprocessing: Spent fuel is chemically treated to separate usable fissile materials from waste, although this process also produces weapons-usable plutonium, necessitating strict regulatory oversight.
Challenges and Concerns
Managing nuclear waste poses significant challenges, including the long-term containment of radioactive materials, potential environmental contamination, and the high costs associated with waste management and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Public concerns about safety and environmental impacts, as well as technical and regulatory challenges, complicate efforts to find sustainable solutions for nuclear waste disposal.
India’s Approach to Nuclear Waste
India, with its ambitious nuclear program, has developed facilities for reprocessing spent fuel to extract plutonium for its nuclear reactors and weapons. Reprocessing plants in Trombay, Tarapur, and Kalpakkam handle the spent fuel from research reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors. Despite efforts to manage waste on-site and through reprocessing, challenges remain, particularly with the storage and treatment of high-level and intermediate-level waste.
