Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems Toward Zero Release Of Radioactive Wastes

This volume is a collection of the papers presented at the International Seminar on Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems toward Zero Release of Radioactive Wastes, which was held in Japan in November 2000. Scientists and engineers working in academia, research organizations and industry came together to discuss the role and contributions of nuclear energy to the environmental issues in the new millennium. It provided a forum for open discussions about the pursuit of solutions for the reduction of nuclear wastes based on the accelerator and fusion technologies, in addition to the advanced fission technology to harmonize the nuclear energy systems with the global environment. It also promoted future international collaboration in the following research fields: the role of nuclear energy in the new millennium; waste management; transmutation of minor actinides and fission products; advanced fission systems, accelerator driven systems, fusion systems, nuclear database, and advanced nuclear fuel cycles for transmutation of wastes. Published originally as a special issue (volume 40/3-4) of the international journal Progress in Nuclear Energy.

"Nuclear energy is attracting revived interest as a potential alternate for electric power generation in the event of increased concerns about global warming. Nuclear energy has one of the lowest impacts on the environment of any energy source since it does not discharge air pollution, isolates its waste from the environment and need a relatively small amount of land. Nuclear energy stations do not produce air pollutants or greenhouse gases when they generate electricity. Today's nuclear reactors are safe and highly efficient energy systems that provide electricity and a multitude of co-generation energy products ranging from potable water to heat for industrial applications. However, terrible earthquake and tsunami events in Japan resulted in the nuclear accident that obligatory us to rethink our approach to nuclear safety, design requirements and facilitated growing interests in advanced nuclear energy systems, next generation nuclear reactors, which are essentially capable to withstand natural disasters and avoid catastrophic consequences without any environmental impact. Nuclear power has been called a clean source of energy because the power plants do not release carbon dioxide. While this is true, it is unreliable. Nuclear power plants may not emit carbon dioxide during operation, but high amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted in activities related to building and running the plants. Nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel. The process of mining uranium releases high amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon dioxide is also released into the environment when new nuclear power plants are built. Finally, the transport of radioactive waste also causes carbon dioxide emissions. Nuclear power plants constantly emit low levels of radiation into the environment. There is a differing of opinion among scientists over the effects caused by constant low levels of radiation. Various scientific studies have shown an increased rate of cancer among people who live near nuclear power plants. Radioactive waste is a huge concern. Waste from nuclear power plants can remain active for hundreds of thousands of years. Currently, much of the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants has been stored at the power plant. The aim of this volume, Nuclear Energy is to bring nuclear power to our readers as one of the promising energy sources that has a inimitable prospective to meet energy demands with minimized environmental impact, near-zero carbon trace, and competitive economics through vigorous prospective applications. This book intends to provide useful information for scientists and those in technical fields in several areas in nuclear power plants including: nuclear systems protection, design and modeling of critical parameters in nuclear power plants, nuclear waste management and safety and reliability assessment."

The Golden Age of nuclear energy in the United States has passed, and the accidents, if not disasters, at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima have damaged nuclear power’s rise in some parts of the world. And yet today, as Third Way’s Josh Freed illuminates in the latest Brookings Essay, a flood of young engineers are exploring safer and cleaner nuclear energy technologies as the best option for powering the world and addressing the looming threat of climate change. Yet as Freed demonstrates, advanced nuclear energy is too big, complex, and expensive to take off without significant political backing and changes in how the government supports innovation. If the U.S. doesn’t invest in advanced nuclear, he argues, it’s inevitable that another country will lead the way in this game-changing field. THE BROOKINGS ESSAY: In the spirit of its commitment to high-quality, independent research, the Brookings Institution has commissioned works on major topics of public policy by distinguished authors, including Brookings scholars. The Brookings Essay is a multi-platform product aimed to engage readers in open dialogue and debate. The views expressed, however, are solely those of the author. Available in ebook only.

Transforming the energy system is at the core of the dedicated sustainable development goal on energy within the new United Nations development agenda. This publication explores the possible contribution of nuclear energy to addressing the issues of sustainable development through a large selection of indicators. It reviews the characteristics of nuclear power in comparison with alternative sources of electricity supply, according to economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability. The findings summarized in this publication will help the reader to consider, or reconsider, the contribution that can be made by the development and operation of nuclear power plants in contributing to more sustainable energy systems.

Reviews the political and social context for nuclear power generation, the nuclear fuel cycles and their implications for the environment.

Reprocessing and Recycling of Spent Nuclear Fuel presents an authoritative overview of spent fuel reprocessing, considering future prospects for advanced closed fuel cycles. Part One introduces the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, reviewing past and current technologies, the possible implications of Generation IV nuclear reactors, and associated safely and security issues. Parts Two and Three focus on aqueous-based reprocessing methods and pyrochemical methods, while final chapters consider the cross-cutting aspects of engineering and process chemistry and the potential for implementation of advanced closed fuel cycles in different parts of the world. Expert introduction to the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel Detailed overview of past and current technologies, the possible implications of Generation IV nuclear reactors, and associated safely and security issues A lucid exploration of aqueous-based reprocessing methods and pyrochemical methods

During the last century, nuclear power has been established as a reliable source of energy in the major industrialised countries. It has recently enjoyed a revival in attention and research due to the environmental concerns surrounding current conventional energy sources. Issues of regulation and safety are at the forefront of all discussions involving nuclear power, and will govern its place in the future. The Future of Nuclear Power takes a technical and comprehensive look at the current and future status of nuclear power throughout the world. The 17 chapters are divided into two main sections: a review of all current generation plants, and concepts for new advanced reactor design and safety. The broad-ranging topics covered by this publication, coupled with the current revival of interest in nuclear energy, make it a timely reference for all nuclear scientists. Reviews the issues surrounding the future operation of existing commercial nuclear plants Several chapters dedicated to the extensive research programs in place concerning safe and reliable operation Compares nuclear and non-nuclear options for energy needs in the future; evaluating the benefits and risks of both

Addresses all relevant aspects of flexible (non-baseload) operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs), specifically focusing on changing electrical output to match the electrical demand and to control the frequency of the electrical system. It provides collective guidance based on current knowledge and operational experience.