Article
Article
Spent nuclear fuel disposition
Article By:
Wagner, John C. Materials and Fuels Complex, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Last reviewed:May 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.643550
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- Spent nuclear fuel disposition, published December 2018:Download PDF
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An interdisciplinary field devoted to achieving the end state of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) through reuse and permanent disposal or direct permanent disposal. The planned approach in the United States, as well as in many other countries, is permanent disposal of SNF in a deep geologic repository (Fig. 1). The reuse option, implemented in France and other countries, aims to make use of the remaining energy content in SNF and reduce the amount of long-lived radioactive materials that require permanent disposal. Waste materials remaining after SNF is processed for reuse are referred to as high-level radioactive waste (HLW). See also: Radioactivity
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