logo

Disposal of high level nuclear wastes: Thermodynamic equilibrium and environment ethics

NUCLEAR ENGINEERING

Disposal of high level nuclear wastes: Thermodynamic equilibrium and environment ethics

RANA Mukhtar Ahmed
Nuclear Science and TechniquesVol.20, No.3pp.188-192Published in print 20 Jun 2009
28601

Contamination of soil, water or air, due to a failure of containment or disposal of high level nuclear wastes, can potentially cause serious hazards to the environment or human health. Essential elements of the environment and radioactivity dangers to it are illustrated. Issues of high level nuclear waste disposal are discussed with a focus on thermodynamic equilibrium and environment ethics. Major aspects of the issues are analyzed and described briefly to build a perception of risks involved and ethical implications. Nuclear waste containment repository should be as close as possible to thermodynamic equilibrium. A clear demonstration about safety aspects of nuclear waste management is required in gaining public and political confidence in any possible scheme of permanent disposal. Disposal of high level nuclear waste offers a spectrum of environment connected challenges and a long term future of nuclear power depends on the environment friendly solution of the problem of nuclear wastes.

Nuclear WastesThermodynamic equilibriumEnvironment ethicsPolicy makingPublic confidence
References
[1] Lee Y E, Jung Y B. Energy Conv Manage, 2008, 49: 1951-1959.
[2] Yanase T. Nucl News, 2007, 50: 56-58.
[3] Sovacool B K. Policy Sci, 2007, 40: 101-122.
[4] MacKerron G. Energy Policy, 2004, 32: 1957-1965.
[5] Ewing R C. Nature, 2007, 445: 161-162.
[6] Brown V. Science, 2007, 315: 174-174.
[7] Farnan I, Cho H, Weber W J. Nature, 2007, 445: 190-193.
[8] Delay J, Rebours H, Vinsot A, et al. Phys Chemis Earth, 2007, 32: 42-57.
[9] Ewing R C. Elements, 2006, 2: 331-334.
[10] Buck E C, Hanson B D, McNamara B K (authors). Gieré R, Stille P(Eds.). Energy, waste and the environment: a geochemical perspective. London: The Geological Socity of London Special Publication, 2004, 236: 65-68.
[11] Andersen P K, Ghassemi A, Ghassemi M. Encyclop Energy, 2004, 4: 449-463.
[12] Cederqvist L, Öberg T. Reliabil Engg Sys Safe, 2008, 93: 1491-1499.
[13] Bäckblom G, Martin C D. Tunn Underground Space Technol, 1999, 14: 377-394.
[14] Bäckblom G. J Nucl Sci Technol, 1998, 35: 623-630.
[15]

IAEA report to the government of Japan about earthquake (July 17, 2007) damage at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear

. http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2007/kashiwazaki-kariwa_report.html.
Baidu ScholarGoogle Scholar
[16]

Power Plant prepared by IAEA Mission

, 6-10 August 2007. http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2007/kashiwazaki-kariwa_report.html.
Baidu ScholarGoogle Scholar
[17] Lestuzzi P, Bachmann H. Eng Struct, 2007, 29: 1708-1721.
[18] Ghosh A K. Nucl Engg Design, 2008, 238: 1743-1749.
[19]

IAEA staff report, Risks to nuclear reactors scrutinized in tsunami´s wake: International Workshop on Hazards of External Flooding to Convene in India

, 16 Aug 2005. http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2005/tsunami.html.
Baidu ScholarGoogle Scholar
[20] Allard T, Calas G, Ildefonse P. Chem Geol, 2007, 239: 50-63.
[21] Smellie J A T, Karlsson F. Engg Geol, 1999, 52: 193-220.
[22] Petit J C. Radiochim Acta, 1990, 51: 181-188.
[23] Calas G, Allard T, Balan E, et al. MRS Proceed, 2004, 792: 81-92.
[24] Price P B, Walker R M. Appl Phys Lett, 1962, 2: 23-25.
[25] Wiles D R. The chemistry of nuclear fuel waste disposal, Canada Montréal: Polytechnique International Press, 2006.
[26] Goto S, Kobayashi H, Hideo A, et al.

Corrosion-resistant copper alloy

, United States Patent 4830825, 1989.
Baidu ScholarGoogle Scholar
[27] Schwartz M O. Environ Geol, 2008, 54: 1485-1488.
[28] Oughton D H. Radiat Prot Dos, 1996, 68: 203-208.
[29] Weber W J, Ewing RC, Catlow C R A, et al. J Mater Res, 1998, 13: 1434-1484.
[30] Bradley D J, Frank C W, Milkerin Y. Physics Today, 1996, April Issue: 40-45.
[31] Ewing R C, Weber W J, Lian J. J Appl Phys, 2004, 95: 5949-5971.
[32] Birol F. IAEA Bulletin, 2007, 48: 16-20.
[33] MacFarlane A. Bul Atom Scient, 2006, (5-6): 46-52.
[34] US Department of Energy, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Viability Assessment of a Repository at Yucca Mountain. Overview, Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Office (Las Vegas), Nevada, 1998.
[35] Thegerström C. IAEA Bulletin, 2004, 46: 36-38.