What is intermediate level waste?

Intermediate-level waste is more highly radioactive and consists primarily of used reactor core components and resins and filters used to purify reactor water systems. When used fuel bundles are removed from the reactor, they are highly radioactive, contain long-lived radioactivity and generate significant heat.

How is intermediate level waste disposed?

Low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes are buried in geological repositories. The nuclear waste is placed into stainless steel or reinforced concrete containers and deposited inside the engineering barrier system. Only solid wastes are stored; liquid wastes are solidified by cementation or bitumen.

Where does intermediate nuclear waste come from?

In Canada, low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste refers to all forms of radioactive waste, except used nuclear fuel, limited waste from the production of medical isotopes, and the waste from uranium mining and milling.

What type of waste is radioactive?

Radioactive (or nuclear) waste is a byproduct from nuclear reactors, fuel processing plants, hospitals and research facilities. Radioactive waste is also generated while decommissioning and dismantling nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities. There are two broad classifications: high-level or low-level waste.

What is in high-level waste?

High-level waste is the highly radioactive waste material resulting from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, including liquid waste produced directly in reprocessing and any solid material derived from such liquid waste that contains fission products in sufficient concentrations; and other highly radioactive …

How is radioactive waste managed?

Examples of treatment include decontaminating, shredding, compacting, drying and solidifying the waste. Packaging: Most radioactive waste requires packaging in specially engineered containers for safe storage and disposal. This also allows for easier handling and transport.

How do you dispose of intermediate level nuclear waste?

Disposal of low-level waste is straightforward and can be undertaken safely almost anywhere. Storage of used fuel is normally under water for at least five years and then often in dry storage. Deep geological disposal is widely agreed to be the best solution for final disposal of the most radioactive waste produced.

What are the five types of waste?

These are:

• Liquid Waste. Liquid waste includes dirty water, wash water, organic liquids, waste detergents and sometimes rainwater.
• Solid Rubbish.
• Organic Waste.
• Recyclable Rubbish.
• Hazardous Waste.
• Hygienic Landfill.
• Recycling and Reusing.
• Vermicomposting.

Where does high level nuclear waste go?

Currently, the United States does not reprocess spent nuclear fuel, nor does it have a disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste. Most high-level radioactive waste is stored at the facility in which it was produced.

What kind of waste is classified as intermediate level?

Waste that has been exposed to alpha radiation, or that contains long-lived radionuclides in concentrations that require isolation and containment for periods beyond several hundred years, is classified as intermediate-level radioactive waste.

What makes intermediate level waste ( ILW ) radioactive?

Intermediate-level long-lived waste (ILW-LL) Irradiated hulls and end-pieces These hulls and end-pieces are the residue of the zircaloy cladding that surrounds fuel pellets. They have been heavily irradiated while spending three years in a reactor and are therefore radioactive.

Which is the best definition of high level waste?

Definitions. High-level waste is the highly radioactive waste material resulting from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, including liquid waste produced directly in reprocessing and any solid material derived from such liquid waste that contains fission products in sufficient concentrations; and other highly radioactive material…

Where does intermediate level waste go in France?

They form part of the ‘intermediate-level’ waste (type B). They will be sent to the technological waste compaction and reduction facility at the La Hague plant. The French classification system uses ILW-LL to refer to waste with an activity level considered to be intermediate but that has a long life span.