answersLogoWhite

0

Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste is waste that contains radioactive materials. This can be caused by nuclear fission, nuclear medicine, radiography, and other sources. There are very strict rules about the storage and disposal of radioactive waste.

334 Questions

What is the problems with underground storage for nuclear waste petroleum products and industrial chemicals?

None. It can be easily and safely done for nuclear waste.

The whole system for safe economic disposal is illustrated and discussed there.

Also check the US patent offices for existing patents under the author's name.

Five example of potential energy?

-hanging apple

-the energy that is stored in our cells of our body

-when we stretch a rubber band

-the water at the middle at the tap

-a football at the table

1. Apple on a table

2. Spring of a watch

3. You sitting on a Chair

4. a ball floating on a water column

5 Apple hanging on a tree

A rock next to a ledge.

A wound up spring.

A turned off faucet.

An unpopped balloon.

unexploded dynomite

What is the purpose for nuclear waste?

Nuclear waste is an unfortunate by-product of the process of nuclear fission for the purpose of energy production. The spent fuel rods are "safely" stored and sequestered, but will remain dangerous for thousands of years.

As far as I know, there is no "purpose" for nuclear waste, other than to convince people that they do not want a power plant in their backyard. The theoretically possible process of nuclear fusion (which is how the sun works) would produce less radioactive material and waste.

Fission creates large amounts of radioactive waste?

The high level waste, which is the dangerous part, is contained in the spent fuel, so it has the same volume as the fuel rods, unless they are processed. The actual amount is manageable, it is the high activity that is the problem for disposal.

Where is most of high level waste stored in the US?

in on site spent fuel rod "Swimming Pools". once they are full they are full and the reactor will be forced to shut down.

What is the nuclear pore used for?

The nuclear pores are tiny holes in the the nuclear membrane surrounding the nucleus of a cell, which allow the movement of solluable materials through the nuclear membrane, in and out of the nucleus.

Is the tiberium crystal real or fictional?

its just a fictional element in command and conquesr no such thing/element exists in real life dear..

What is the percentage of nuclear waste from nuclear power plants?

All the significant high level waste is contained in the spent fuel, and will stay there when the fuel is stored after unloading, unless the fuel is taken to a plant designed for dismantling and separating it. This is done in the UK and France, possibly Russia, I'm not sure about that, but not in the US, not for commercial reactors anyway. The fissile part of the new fuel is about 4 percent U-235 and it is discharged with about 1 percent remaining so that difference determines the percentage of fission products in the discharged fuel. It will also contain plutonium which has been formed from the U-238 which forms 96 percent of the new fuel, but again a lot of the fissile plutonium formed will have been burned up during reactor operation. So the percentage by weight is a fairly small part of the spent fuel, most of which will be U-238, which if separated out is fairly inocuous and could be used in breeder reactors if we had any.

How is the largest amount of nuclear waste categorized?

They are categorized according to:

  • Physical form (solid, liquid, or gaseous)
  • radioactivity level (high, intermediate, low)

Does fusion produce radioactive waste?

No. The products of nuclear fusion are not radioactive.

Why not dispose of nuclear waste in the sun?

One reason is that it is incredibly expensive to get things to go into space. Every pound you send into space costs a couple grand. There are probably more reasons, but this is the main one.

Why can't nuclear waste be buried in uranium mines?

because it's a mine and they are still mining i think plus you need 1/2 an inch of lead to protect it. Also you need lots of room

Is nuclear waste stored in Colorado?

There are no nuclear power plants in Colorado. The only source of waste might be from a small teaching or medical isotope reactor, I have no information on this.

What are two isotopes that were released in the chernobyl accident?

Actually there were hundreds of isotopes released, about the same mix (any isotope having mass numbers from 72 to 161) as one would get from any fission bomb but in much larger quantity as the reactor core is much larger than any fission bomb core.

A few of the isotopes and some effects (where known) are:

  • selenium-75
  • krypton-85
  • strontium-90, replaces calcium in bones causing weakening and/or cancer
  • zirconium-95
  • niobium-95
  • xenon-127
  • telerium-132
  • xenon-133
  • iodine-131, concentrates in thyroid killing it and/or causing cancer
  • cesium-134, replaces potassium in the body causing widespread damage
  • cesium-137, replaces potassium in the body causing widespread damage
  • lanthanum-140
  • cerium-144
  • promethium-145
  • promethium-147
  • etc.
In addition to fission product isotopes above, many isotopes of the uranium fuel and various transuranic elements were released.

What is the problem with disposing of radioactive wastes is that they have a long what?

Radioactive substances have half-lives. This is because the isotope constantly is changing from the radioactive isotope to a daughter element. For example, eventually, when uranium's radioactivity is gone, it becomes lead. After one half life of a radioactive substance, only 50% of that substance is still radioactive. Therefore, after one half-life, a piece of uranium is 50% lead and therefore %50 less radioactive. After another half-life, it has 25% of the original radioactivity, and 75% of the original uranium has become lead. This is the problem with radioactive wastes. It takes many years just for one half lives for some substances, such as uranium. Because radioactivity is harmful, those substances have to be stored until they are no longer radioactive. So, in short, the problem with disposing of radioactive wastes is that they have long half-lives. (although this is not true with ALL substances because some have short half-lives, but, in general, radioactive substances have long half-lives.

Why are current methods of nuclear waste disposal inadequate?

It is not true. Currently; there are well established methods and approaches to deal with radioactive waste based on the waste form (solid, liquid. gaseous) and the radioactivity level (low, intermediate, high). There are well practiced regulations and laws to deal with radioactive waste to protect the public and workers from being exposed to any unjustified hazards or radiations from radioactive waste.

What is the chemistry in the disposal of nuclear waste?

The disposal of nuclear waste typically involves encapsulating the waste in materials like glass or ceramic to prevent the release of radioactive materials. This process is aimed at minimizing the long-term impact of radioactive waste on the environment and human health. Specialized facilities, such as deep geological repositories, are used for the final disposal of nuclear waste.

What are the benefits of disposing nuclear waste?

Since it is highly reactive, you can keep it away from humans and vice versa so that it wont harm humans in any shape way or form.