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

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Radiological Safety Training for Uranium Facilities

Module 102 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

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.

Solids may be volume-reduced by incineration or compaction. Soluble forms in

liquid may be solidified to isolate radioactive contents.

Gases are either changed to a solid form and disposed of as a solid or

compressed and stored as gases. These gases may be released after sufficient

time has elapsed for decay of the radioactive component of the gas.

b. HLW

High-level waste (HLW) is defined in DOE Order 5820.2a as "The highly

radioactive waste material that results from the reprocessing of spent nuclear

fuel, including liquid waste produced directly in reprocessing and any solid