Spent nuclear fuel

Spent nuclear fuel, often referred to as used nuclear fuel, is nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor (usually at a nuclear power plant). It is no longer useful in sustaining a nuclear reaction in an ordinary thermal reactor and depending on its point along the nuclear fuel cycle, it may have considerably different isotopic constituents.

Description

The terms spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste are often used interchangeably. Spent nuclear fuel is produced by nuclear reactors after the nuclear fuel has been used and is no longer efficient in producing electricity. It is highly radioactive and dangerous.

Radioactivity and decay heat

Spent nuclear fuel is characterized by two major factors: radioactivity and decay heat. Both factors require the fuel to be handled with great care and managed properly. The radioactivity in the spent fuel is due to the presence of unstable isotopes, which undergo radioactive decay. The decay heat is the heat produced as a result of this radioactive decay.

Management

The management of spent nuclear fuel is a critical aspect of nuclear power generation. This involves the storage, disposal, and potential reprocessing of the spent fuel. The spent fuel is typically stored in spent fuel pools and dry cask storage, before being disposed of in a deep geological repository.

Reprocessing

Reprocessing is a method that can be used to manage spent nuclear fuel. It involves separating the valuable components, such as unused uranium and plutonium, from the waste products. This can then be used to create new fuel.

See also

• Nuclear fuel cycle
• Nuclear power
• Radioactive waste
• Nuclear reprocessing

External links

• Spent Fuel Storage in Pools and Dry Casks Key Points and Questions & Answers - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Spent_nuclear_fuel

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  Spent nuclear fuel in a storage pool
• Spent nuclear fuel at Hanford site
  Spent nuclear fuel at Hanford site
• Illustration of decay heat in spent nuclear fuel
  Illustration of decay heat in spent nuclear fuel
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  Activity of Uranium-233 over time
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  Total activity of spent nuclear fuel
• Spent nuclear fuel pool
  Spent nuclear fuel pool