The Nuclear Fuel Cycle From Ore to Waste

The subject of nuclear power is fraught with controversy, and it is often discussed with an inadequate understanding of the science behind today's reactor technology. This book covers the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from mining uranium ore to disposal of radioactive wastes. It is intended for a broad audience of nonspecialist readers. Basic principles are fully explained, and topics such as environmental radioactivity--both naturally occurring and man-made--and safety issues are explored. Anyone interested in the operation of today's nuclear power-generating plants will want to have a copy of this informative volume.

Contributors

xv

(2)

Abbreviations

xvii

1 Basic principles

1

(17)

P. D. Wilson

1.1 Introduction

1

(1)

1.2 Atomic structure

1

(9)

1.3 Reactors

10

(1)

1.4 Fuel management

11

(1)

1.5 Fuel supply

12

(1)

1.6 Waste management

12

(1)

1.7 The fuel cycle

13

(1)

1.8 Economics

14

(2)

1.9 The future

16

(1)

1.10 References

17

(1)

2 Mining and milling uranium ore

18

(23)

G. M. Ritcey

2.1 Introduction

18

(1)

2.2 Occurence

18

(1)

2.3 Mining practice

19

(2)

2.4 Milling

21

(16)

2.5 Tailings management

37

(3)

2.6 References

40

(1)

3 Fuel fabrication

41

(26)

G. Marsh

H. Eccles

3.1 Introduction

41

(2)

3.2 Design considerations

43

(1)

3.3 Uranium purification

44

(2)

3.4 Conversion

46

(2)

3.5 Magnox fuel

48

(2)

3.6 Oxide

50

(11)

3.7 Oxide fuel assembly

61

(4)

3.8 Conclusion

65

(1)

3.9 References

66

(1)

4 Isotopic enrichment of uranium

67

(11)

P. C. Upson

4.1 Introduction

67

(2)

4.2 Gaseous diffusion

69

(2)

4.3 Centrifuge enrichment

71

(3)

4.4 Laser enrichment

74

(1)

4.5 Re-enrichment of reprocessed uranium

75

(1)

4.6 Conclusion

76

(1)

4.7 References

77

(1)

5 Power reactors

78

(24)

K. W. Hesketh

5.1 Introduction

78

(1)

5.2 Fissions in nature

78

(1)

5.3 Fundamentals of fission reactors

79

(5)

5.4 Reactor types

84

(15)

5.5 Future perspective

99

(2)

5.6 References

101

(1)

6 Transport and storage of irradiated fuel

102

(14)

D. E. Haslett

6.1 Introduction

102

(1)

6.2 At the reactor

102

(3)

6.3 Transport

105

(5)

6.4 Interim storage

110

(5)

6.5 References

115

(1)

7 Reprocessing irradiated fuel

116

(22)

I. S. Denniss

A. P. Jeapes

7.1 Introduction

116

(1)

7.2 Head-end processes

117

(6)

7.3 Solvent extraction

123

(12)

7.4 Conclusion

135

(1)

7.5 References

136

(2)

8 Recycling uranium and plutonium

138

(23)

J. P. Patterson

P. Parkes

8.1 Introduction

138

(1)

8.2 Rationale for recycling

139

(3)

8.3 Brief history of recycling

142

(1)

8.4 Recycling uranium

143

(6)

8.5 Recycling uranium

149

(9)

8.6 Future trends in recycling

158

(2)

8.7 References

160

(1)

9 Waste treatment

161

(23)

G. V. Hutson

9.1 Introduction

161

(1)

9.2 Waste types

162

(1)

9.3 Liquid wastes

163

(10)

9.4 Solid wastes

173

(5)

9.5 Aerial effluent

178

(3)

9.6 Practices at other sites

181

(2)

9.7 Conclusion

183

(1)

9.8 References

183

(1)

10 Disposal of fuel or solid wastes

184

(23)

S. Richardson

P. Curd

E. J. Kelly

10.1 Introduction

184

(1)

10.2 Waste categories

185

(1)

10.3 Low-level waste

185

(5)

10.4 Intermediate level waste

190

(5)

10.5 High level waste

195

(2)

10.6 Direct disposal

197

(3)

10.7 Review of world-wide disposal systems

200

(4)

10.8 Conclusion

204

(1)

10.9 References

205

(1)

10.10 Further reading

206

(1)

11. Environmental radioactivity

207

(22)

P. D. Wilson

11.1 Introduction

207

(1)

11.2 Atomosphere

208

(1)

11.3 Terrestrial environment

209

(3)

11.4 Seas, rivers, etc.

212

(4)

11.5 Artificial radionuclides of special interest

216

(5)

11.6 Natural radioelements

221

(2)

11.7 Monitoring and research

223

(4)

11.8 Conclusion

227

(1)

11.9 References

227

(2)

12 Decommissioning nuclear facilities

229

(23)

S. Buck

12.1 Introduction

229

(1)

12.2 Principles

229

(3)

12.3 Timing and strategy

232

(3)

12.4 Planning

235

(1)

12.5 Practical techniques

236

(6)

12.6 Waste management

242

(4)

12.7 Progress

246

(1)

12.8 Future prospects

247

(2)

12.9 Conclusion

249

(1)

12.10 References

250

(1)

12.11 Further reading

251

(1)

13 Management of safety

252

(20)

A. C. Fryer

M. Merry

C. Sunman

A. E. Waterhouse

13.1 Introduction

252

(3)

13.2 Risk assessment

255

(8)

13.3 Critically control

263

(4)

13.4 THORP: a specific example

267

(4)

13.5 References

271

(1)

14 Future perspectives

272

(23)

P. D. Wilson

14.1 Introduction

272

(1)

14.2 Aims of the industry

272

(11)

14.3 Special topics

283

(9)

14.4 Conclusion

292

(1)

14.5 References

293

(2)

Glossary

295

(12)

Appendix 1: elements of the periodic table

307

(3)

Appendix 2: decay chains of heavy radionuclides

310

(4)

Appendix 3: products from thermal fission of U-235

314

(3)

Appendix 4: decay properties of selected radionuclides

317

(2)

Index

319

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The Nuclear Fuel Cycle From Ore to Waste

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