Production of noble gases by nuclear fission

The noble gases, krypton and xenon, are produced in significant amounts in operating nuclear reactors. The quantity of noble gas, as well as radioisotopes, produced in the fission processes are discussed in relationship to future power requirements. Currently, in light water reactors these gases are released to the earth's atmosphere when the spent fuel is processed to recover plutonium and unused uranium. The impact on the environment of this release from the total industry, along with the state of technology for recovery and retention of these gases, is discussed