Management of radioactive wastes

Safe operation of a nuclear reactor is not the end of nuclear responsibilities. Nuclear fission breeds responsibilities, some with long half-lives. Nuclear power programmes require consideration not only of the power plants, their siting and operation, and planning for the nuclear fuel supply but also of what is to be done with the irradiated fuels and the nuclear waste in them. There have to be decisions on spent fuel management, whether the fuel is to be stored and/or reprocessed (when and where), on having the appropriate facilities and technical competence available when needed, on the management and disposition of the radioactive wastes resulting from any fuel reprocessing, and on the safeguarding and utilization of the nuclear materials recovered from reprocessed fuels. Nuclear fuel cycle is discussed. Irradiated fuel is included because, today, fuel storage may become a viable option prior to reprocessing the fuel at some later time. The immediate and future areas of concern in the nuclear fuel cycle operations are presented, essentially all involving radioactive waste management. In addition, there is decommissioning which applies to all fuel cycle facilities.