Burning waste or playing with fire? Waste management considerations for non-traditional reactors. (3rd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krall, Lindsay; Macfarlane, Allison
• Is Part Of: Bulletin of the atomic scientists. Volume 74:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 326
• Page End: 334
• Publication Date: 2018-09-03
• Subjects: High-level waste -- molten salt reactor -- sodium-cooled fast reactor -- geologic disposal -- reprocessing -- spent fuel; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Nuclear weapons -- Periodicals; Nuclear weapons -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Nuclear arms control -- Periodicals; 363.1799
• DOI: 10.1080/00963402.2018.1507791
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0096-3402

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Nuclear energy-producing nations are almost universally experiencing delays in the commissioning of the geologic repositories needed for the long-term isolation of spent fuel and other high-level wastes from the human environment. Despite these problems, expert panels have repeatedly determined that geologic disposal is necessary, regardless of whether advanced reactors to support a "closed" nuclear fuel cycle become available. Still, advanced reactor developers are receiving substantial funding on the pretense that extraordinary waste management benefits can be reaped through adoption of these technologies. Here, the authors describe why molten salt reactors and sodium-cooled fast reactors – due to the unusual chemical compositions of their fuels – will actually exacerbate spent fuel storage and disposal issues. Before these reactors are licensed, policymakers must determine the implications of metal- and salt-based fuels vis a vis the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the Continued Storage Rule.