|
|
| Fig. 1: Dry Casks for storing nuclear waste. (Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
Nuclear waste is an extremely radioactive byproduct of nuclear energy. While this form of energy is generally cleaner than others like natural gas and other fossil fuels, there is still production of this dangerous byproduct. The production of nuclear waste is somewhat simple. After fuel made of uranium, thorium, oxygen and steel is passed through a reactor, a series of nuclear reactions then ensues. [1] In the end, uranium atoms are split which results in various isotopes that fall under the umbrella of nuclear waste or spent fuel. These isotopes known as transition metals are extremely radioactive. This byproduct is similar to the fuel used to create electricity, however, an important distinction in composition is what causes the harmful hazards.
Traditional storage of nuclear waste involves containing the spent fuel in large underwater pools or dry storage casks at the sites of nuclear reactors seen in Fig. 1. However, these forms of storage lack long term reliability and feasibility. Because of this, the U.S. government has been researching alternative solutions for storage sites.
The Department of Energy, which is the government agency in charge of overseeing completion of new nuclear waste depositories, has explored a number of solutions. One that was of particular interest was the site at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. This area was suitable for geological deep underground storage of nuclear waste. However, the project was scrapped under the Obama Administration due to political opposition. [2]
There are a number of alternative nuclear waste management propositions. One involving little change to the process of creating nuclear energy is burying spent fuel deep within salt beds. The salt acts as a sealant once it has been rid of its moisture. [3] A major problem with this plan is that there aren't a lot of salt beds currently in the U.S. that would serve as functional depositories. [3]
Nuclear energy is becoming a sexy source of reliable energy. Unfortunately, the increasing appeal must be matched by advancements in safety and waste management. As of 2011, the United States had upwards of 67,000 metric tons of spent fuel in need of disposal with an estimated 2,000 metric ton increase yearly. [4] It is clear clear that America will have to do more to find sites for storage of the harmful byproducts.
© Jay Tyler. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] "Radioactive Waste: Production, Storage, Disposal," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NUREG/BR-0216, May 2002.
[2] M. L. Wald, "Calls to Use Yucca Mountain as a Nuclear Waste Site, Now Deemed Safe," New York Times, 16 Oct 14.
[3] M. L. Wald, "Nuclear Waste Solution Seen in Desert Salt Beds," New York Times, 9 Feb 14.
[4] J. D. Werner, "U.S. Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage," Congressional Research Service, R42513, May 2012.
