Radioactive wastes and disposal options

Disposal of Radioactive Wastes

Almost all major nuclear operations produce residues containing radioactive materials; in reactor operations, for example, the fission products, new elements (such as plutonium) produced by neutron irradiation and the unfissioned nuclear fuel are all radioactive. Some of this material can be put to further use: useful radioisotopes, for instance, can be extracted from the fission products and p...

Chemical Treatment Options for Pesticide Wastes Disposal

The development of chemical means of detoxification of pesticide wastes and spills is an increasingly important endeavor for the pesticide industry. The objective of this paper is to review some of the chemical degradation methods for pesticide decontamination that exist today. I n presenting each method, less emphasis has been put on technical detail of the method and more emphasis has been pu...

Technologies for in situ immobilization and isolation of radioactive wastes at disposal and contaminated sites

Downblending Contaminated Radioactive Wastes

Dilution is the mixing of radioactive waste with non-radioactive material, whereas downblending is the mixing of high-level radioactive waste with low-level radioactive waste. These processes have been applied predominantly at nuclear sites as part of the decontamination procedures for the disposal of blended wastes in licensed facilities. Proper health and safety assessments should be carried ...

Disposal of Radioactive Waste

Perhaps the most important single problem arising from the increasing use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes is how to dispose of the growing amounts of radioactive waste. Many of its complex aspects were discussed at the scientific conference on the disposal of radioactive waste held by IAEA in Monaco from 16 to 21 November 1959. The conference was organized jointly with UNESCO, with the c...