https://wikimd.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=High-level_waste 2026-04-26T12:02:05Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.44.2 https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=High-level_waste&diff=5831747&oldid=prev 2024-05-27T01:41:54Z

<p>CSV import</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[Image:Hanford N Reactor adjusted.jpg|thumb|Hanford N Reactor adjusted|right]] [[File:Fuel pool.jpg|thumb|Fuel pool.jpg]] &#039;&#039;&#039;High-level waste&#039;&#039;&#039; (HLW) is a type of [[radioactive waste]] that is generated from the reprocessing of spent [[nuclear fuel]] and from the production of [[nuclear weapons]]. It is highly radioactive and requires careful management and disposal to protect human health and the environment.<br /> ==Sources of High-level Waste==<br /> High-level waste primarily originates from two sources:<br /> * [[Spent nuclear fuel]] from [[nuclear reactors]].<br /> * Waste from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, which involves separating usable elements like [[uranium]] and [[plutonium]] from the waste products.<br /> ==Characteristics==<br /> High-level waste is characterized by:<br /> * High levels of [[radioactivity]].<br /> * Significant amounts of [[heat generation]] due to radioactive decay.<br /> * Long-lived [[radioisotopes]] that remain hazardous for thousands to millions of years.<br /> ==Management and Disposal==<br /> The management of high-level waste involves several steps:<br /> * [[Interim storage]]: HLW is often stored temporarily in [[spent fuel pools]] or dry casks at nuclear power plants.<br /> * [[Reprocessing]]: Some countries reprocess spent nuclear fuel to extract usable materials, reducing the volume of high-level waste.<br /> * [[Geological disposal]]: The long-term solution for high-level waste is to dispose of it in deep geological repositories, where it can be isolated from the biosphere.<br /> ==Geological Repositories==<br /> Several countries are developing or have proposed geological repositories for high-level waste, including:<br /> * [[Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository]] in the United States.<br /> * [[Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository]] in Finland.<br /> * [[Cigéo]] in France.<br /> ==Challenges==<br /> The disposal of high-level waste poses several challenges:<br /> * Ensuring the long-term safety and security of geological repositories.<br /> * Addressing public concerns and opposition to waste disposal sites.<br /> * Developing technologies for waste treatment and reduction.<br /> ==Regulation and Policy==<br /> High-level waste management is regulated by national and international bodies, including:<br /> * [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA)<br /> * [[United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission]] (NRC)<br /> * [[European Atomic Energy Community]] (EURATOM)<br /> ==See Also==<br /> * [[Radioactive waste]]<br /> * [[Nuclear fuel cycle]]<br /> * [[Nuclear reprocessing]]<br /> * [[Low-level waste]]<br /> * [[Intermediate-level waste]]<br /> ==References==<br /> {{Reflist}}<br /> ==External Links==<br /> {{Commons category|High-level waste}}<br /> [[Category:Radioactive waste]]<br /> [[Category:Nuclear technology]]<br /> [[Category:Nuclear reprocessing]]<br /> [[Category:Waste management]]<br /> {{Nuclear-stub}}</div>

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