Creation of Nuclear Waste
- Nuclear waste is generated at all points of the fuel cycle.
- Front end waste consists primarily of low level alpha emission waste.
- Service period waste typically includes LLW and ILW such as contaminated reactor housings and waste from daily operation.
- Back end waste normally is the most radioactive and includes spent fuel rods and reactor cores.
Front End Waste
- Front end waste consists mostly of LLW and ILW.
- The primary front end waste is depleted uranium and radium.
- –DU has several uses due to its high density (19,050 kg/m3).
- –Mix with uranium to form reactor fuel
Service Period Waste
- Consists of mostly ILW.
- Mostly waste produced at the plant during normal operation.
- Spent fuel rods are the most dangerous waste produced during the service period.