This "objective" report, originally prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, tells the glowing, happy story of nuclear waste disposal in America. The fourth edition has been updated to include the latest legislative and technical changes. It begins by explaining what radioactivity is and goes on to explore the merits of various methods of disposal and the use of licensing and regulation as forms of protection. Filled with graphs, tables, diagrams, and black and white photos. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Drawing on the authors' extensive experience in the processing and disposal of waste, An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation, Second Edition examines the gamut of nuclear waste issues from the natural level of radionuclides in the environment to geological disposal of waste-forms and their long-term behavior. It covers all-important aspects of processing and immobilization, including nuclear decay, regulations, new technologies and methods. Significant focus is given to the analysis of the various matrices used, especially cement and glass, with further discussion of other matrices such as bitumen. The final chapter concentrates on the performance assessment of immobilizing materials and safety of disposal, providing a full range of the resources needed to understand and correctly immobilize nuclear waste.

Focused attention by world leaders is needed to address the substantial challenges posed by disposal of spent nuclear fuel from reactors and high-level radioactive waste from processing such fuel. The biggest challenges in achieving safe and secure storage and permanent waste disposal are societal, although technical challenges remain. Disposition of radioactive wastes in a deep geological repository is a sound approach as long as it progresses through a stepwise decision-making process that takes advantage of technical advances, public participation, and international cooperation. Written for concerned citizens as well as policymakers, this book was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and waste management organizations in eight other countries.

The issue of nuclear waste is about managing some of the most dangerous material ever to exist. This has to be done safely, and in a way that remains safe for many thousands of years. To realize safe disposal, satisfying bedrock conditions are needed as well as people willing to accept disposal in their own community. In most countries this kind of place has been difficult to locate. This book is the first of its kind, reporting a study which analyses in detail the highly controversial decisions on how to finally dispose of nuclear waste in Sweden, a country considered a forerunner in nuclear waste management. The siting process is traced, as are its connections both back in time and to the global community. From the perspective of science and technology studies the study contributes to the understanding of regulation of controversial technical issues in modern societies.

The safe management of radioactive wastes is of paramount importance in gaining both governmental and societal support for nuclear energy. The scope of this new textbook is to provide a comprehensive perspective on all types of radioactive wastes as to how they are created, classified, characterized, and disposed.Written to emphasize how geology and radionuclide chemistry impact waste management, this book is primarily designed for engineers who have little background in geology with low-level wastes, decommissioning wastes, high-level wastes and spent nuclear fuel.This textbook provides the most up-to-date information available on waste management in several countries. The content of this work includes transporting radioactive materials to disposal facilities. The textbook cites numerous case studies to illustrate past practices, current methodologies and to provide insights on how radioactive wastes may be managed in the future. An international perspective on waste management is also provided to help the readers better understand the diversity in approaches while highlighting what many countries have in common. Review questions for classroom use are provided at the end of each chapter.Related Link(s)