Chapter 15: Problem 7

Describe the current practices for dealing with spent fuel rods.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Spent fuel rods are initially cooled in a water-filled pool to reduce radiation and heat. They are then moved to dry cask storage for the remainder of their cooling process. Disposal efforts focus on creating geological repositories, while some countries opt to recycle or reprocess the rods to separate usable materials.

Step by step solution

Understanding Spent Fuel Rods

Spent fuel rods are used fuel elements that were previously part of the core of a nuclear reactor. Once these rods no longer produce heat or power efficiently, they are regarded as spent.

Initial Cooling in Spent Fuel Pool

Immediately after removal from the reactor, spent fuel rods are high in radiation and heat. For this reason, they are first placed into a spent fuel pool. This pool is filled with water which cools the rods and protect from radiation.

Secondary Cooling and Storage

After a period of cooling in the spent fuel pool, the rods may be transferred to dry cask storage. These are large steel and concrete casks that continue to cool the rods and provide further protection from radiation.

Permanent Disposal

Efforts for permanent disposal of spent fuel rods focus on the creation of geological repositories. These are facilities built deep inside stable geological formations.

Recycling or Reprocessing

Some countries have opted to recycle spent fuel rods. The reprocessing involves separating out the uranium and plutonium, which can be reused in new fuel rods, from the other waste products.

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Describe the current practices for dealing with spent fuel rods.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Spent Fuel Rods

Initial Cooling in Spent Fuel Pool

Secondary Cooling and Storage

Permanent Disposal

Recycling or Reprocessing

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