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To some degree the fuel can be recycled, the process is called reprocessing.
The easiest form of reprocessing is to chemically separate the plutonium that the reactor produced during its operation. This plutonium is then mixed with fresh enriched uranium to produce mixed oxide fuel (MOX) for use in reactors, cutting down the demand for expensive enrichment. This still leaves the spent uranium and fission products and all the transuranic (other than plutonium) in the radioactive waste, as well as producing significant amounts of liquid chemical wastes containing radioactive contaminates. France is the only country that uses this process to any degree at this time.
A better form of reprocessing uses an electroplating process to separate uranium and all the transuranic (not just plutonium) that the reactor produced during its operation. This only leaves the fission products in the radioactive waste. No country currently uses this process, but the US tested it while they were developing the integral fast breeder reactor (which got canceled before a complete prototype could be built).
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThat depends on how you view waste. Nuclear creates no additional radio active material. It does have waste, although less the coal fuels plants. Additionally, nuclear produces zero carbon dioxide emissions for those that care about the production of this gas.
The above is misleading. Nuclear waste is mostly the fission products, that is the remains of the uranium which are left after fission. These are highly radioactive, and must be stored carefully, however they are all contained inside the spent fuel rods, so provided the fuel rods are carefully stored, the waste doesn't present any problems to the environment.
The waste from these plants is most certainly problematic. The volume though can be quite small. A nuclear powered aircraft carrier, for example, will be powered for twenty years on a fuel cell (the actual radioactive material) the size of a dime cubed. This material has been processed to a very high degree though and is deadly if you come in contact with it. This material will also be around for many many centuries and must either be dismantled or stored virtually forever. There currently is no legal method to dismantle nuclear material.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe U-235 in the spent fuel will be depleted, but there is still some there and if the uranium was separated out from the other material, it could be fed back into the enrichment route. It probably has as much U-235 as natural uranium does, though this depends on what length of irradiation it has been through in the reactor (this is measured in MegaWattDays per tonne). The other useful material in the spent fuel is plutonium, which contains some fissile isotopes and some non-fissile. If this is separated out it can be then mixed with new uranium to give a mixed fuel (MOX). This is already done in the UK and in France, but it requires a complicated reprocessing plant which can itself be a source of controversy and potential danger. As far as I know there is no such plant used for commercial purposes in the US but there must be military plants for smaller quantities.
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Which countries operate commercial nuclear reactors?
See www.world-nuclear.org for country by country information:INFORMATION PAPERSNUCLEAR BASICSOutline History of Nuclear Energy The Nuclear Debate GlossaryFACTS AND FIGURESWorld Nuclear Power Reactors 2008-09 and Uranium Requirements Nuclear share figures, 1998-2008 - May 2009 Uranium production figures, 1998-2008 - June 2009COUNTRY AND REGIONAL BRIEFINGSUranium in Africa Nuclear Power in Argentina Nuclear Power in Armenia Australia's Uranium Nuclear Energy Prospects in Australia Nuclear Power in Belgium Nuclear Power in Brazil Nuclear Power in Bulgaria California's Electricity Nuclear Power in Canada Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 1: Ontario Energy Policy Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 2: Alberta Tar Sands Uranium in Canada Uranium in Canada Appendix 1: Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada Uranium in Central Asia Nuclear Power in China Nuclear Power in China Appendix 1: Government Structure and Ownership China's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear Power in Czech Republic Nuclear Energy in Denmark Nuclear Power in Finland Nuclear Power in France Nuclear Power in Germany Nuclear Power in Hungary Nuclear Power in India Nuclear Energy in Iran Nuclear Power in Italy Nuclear Power in Japan Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan Nuclear Power in Korea Nuclear Power in Lithuania Nuclear Power in Mexico Uranium in Namibia Nuclear Energy Prospects in New Zealand Nuclear Power in the Netherlands Uranium in Niger Nuclear Power in Pakistan Nuclear Power in Romania Nuclear Power in Russia Nuclear Power in Slovakia Nuclear Power in Slovenia Nuclear Power in South Africa Nuclear Power in Spain Nuclear Power in Sweden Nuclear Power in Sweden Appendix 1: Barsebäck Closure Nuclear Power in Switzerland Nuclear Power in Taiwan Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom Nuclear Power in Ukraine Nuclear Power in United Arab Emirates Nuclear Power in the USA Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 1: US Operating Nuclear Reactors Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 2 Power Plant Purchases: Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications US Nuclear Fuel Cycle US Nuclear Fuel Cycle Appendix 1: US Uranium Mining and Exploration US Nuclear Power Policy Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries
How can we deal with nuclear waste?
reduce, reuse, recycle, and store whatever is left.
What are examples of nuclear power?
nuclear power
How are nuclear power plants?
by nuclear power ¬.¬
How does nuclear get its power?
Nuclear power is produced through two processes: Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion.
Do microwaves have any nuclear power?
There is no nuclear power involved in a microwave unless the electricity used to power it is from a nuclear power plant.
Is nuclear power biology?
No. Nuclear power is not based on biology. It is based on nuclear physics.
What do nuclear power plants have to do with nuclear energy?
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by using nuclear energy
What percentage of US power production is from nuclear power?
It is 28% nuclear power.
Does a CANDU produce nuclear or hydroelectric power?
nuclear power
What are the two nuclear power stations in Pakistan?
The Chashma Nuclear Power Complex and Karachi Nuclear Power Plant are in Pakistan.
What is nuclear power use for?
It is used for electricity in nuclear power plants == == Nuclear power is used to heat steam which then turns turbines, which generate electricity in nuclear power stations and also to provide propulsion and power on board nuclear submarines.
