Waste Disposal and Storage - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Module 102 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

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Waste Disposal and Storage

Due to the remaining radioactive properties, the

nuclear fuel cycle byproducts must be controlled

and/or disposed. These byproducts can be divided

into two categories--low-level waste (LLW) and

high-level waste (HLW).

a. LLW

The RCS glossary defines low-level waste

(LLW) as "Waste that contains radioactivity and

is not classified as high-level waste, transuranic

waste, spent nuclear fuel, or byproduct material

as defined in Section 11e(2) of the Atomic

Energy Act, as amended. Test specimens of

fissionable material irradiated only for research

and development and not for production of

power or plutonium may be classified as low-

level waste provided the concentration of

transuranic activity is less than 100 nCi/g." LLW

could be in the form of liquids, solids, or gasses.

Liquid waste is usually processed to remove

radioactive material and then recycled or

disposed.