Feasibility of polyetherketone (PEK) composites: a solution for long-term nuclear waste storage

AbstractPlutonium is a major contributor to the radiotoxicity in a long-term nuclear waste repository; therefore, many studies have focused on interactions of plutonium with the technical, geotechnical, and geological barriers of a possible nuclear waste storage site. In order to gain new insights into the sorption on surfaces and diffusion of actinides through these complex heterogeneous materials, a highly sensitive method with spatial resolution is required. Resonant laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser-SNMS) uses the spatial resolution available in time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) in combination with the high selectivity, sensitivity, and low background noise of resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) and is, therefore, a promising method for the study and analysis of the geochemical behavior of plutonium in long-term nuclear waste storage. The authors present an approach with a combined setup consisting of a commercial TOF-SIMS instrument and a Ti:sapphire (Ti:Sa) laser system, as well as its optimization, characterization, and improvements compared to the original proof of concept by Erdmann et al. (2009). As a first application, the spatial distributions of plutonium and other elements on the surface of a pyrite particle and a cement thin section were measured by Laser-SNMS and TOF-SIMS, respectively. These results exemplify the potential of these techniques for the surface analysis of heterogeneous materials in the context of nuclear safety research.

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Hans Jonas, Günther Anders, and the Atomic Priesthood: An Exploration into Ethics, Religion and Technology in the Nuclear Age

Religions ◽

10.3390/rel12090741 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 741

Author(s):

Sebastian Musch

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Waste ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Human Beings ◽

Nuclear Waste Storage ◽

Hans Jonas ◽

Ethical Implications ◽

Waste Storage ◽

Nuclear Age ◽

Central Purpose

This article investigates the ethical implications of the notion of an Atomic Priesthood, an artificially constructed religion built around the preservation of knowledge related to nuclear-waste storage by using the work of Hans Jonas (1903–1993) and Günther Anders (1902–1992). Building on Jonas’ The Imperative of Responsibility from 1979 and Anders’ The Outdatedness of Human Beings from 1956, this article participates in the debate regarding the ethics of the post-closure marking of nuclear-waste storage sites. Assuming that we have a moral obligation toward future generations, as Jonas argued, even after the nuclear-waste storages have been filled and closed, there remains a need to communicate the danger of these sites to future civilizations to whom our languages and other semiotic systems are incomprehensible. Discussing the hypothetical concept of the Atomic Priesthood, an artificial religion whose central purpose would be to make it taboo to approach certain “impure” sites where our civilization had buried nuclear waste, this article argues that due to the unsolved ethical stakes, technological solutions are unequipped to deal with the long-term ramifications of nuclear power.

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CORROSION RELIABILITY PREDICTION: LONG TERM NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE IN YUCCA MOUNTAIN

10.2172/859261 ◽

2005 ◽

Author(s):

G.S. Frankel ◽

E. Tada ◽

B. Maier

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Waste ◽

Yucca Mountain ◽

Reliability Prediction ◽

Nuclear Waste Storage ◽

Waste Storage

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(Hydroxy)apatite on cement: insights into a new surface treatment

Materials Advances ◽

10.1039/d1ma00320h ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ronald Joseph Turner ◽

Pieter Bots ◽

Alan Richardson ◽

Paul Bingham ◽

Alex Scrimshire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Temperature ◽

Surface Treatment ◽

Nuclear Waste ◽

Environmental Remediation ◽

Coating Material ◽

Hydroxy Apatite ◽

Nuclear Waste Storage ◽

Waste Storage ◽

Architectural Preservation

(Hydroxy)apatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2], has emerging potential as a cement coating material, with applications in environmental remediation, nuclear waste storage and architectural preservation. In these low temperature environments and when precipitating from...

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Management of the Energy and Economic Potential of Nuclear Waste Use

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14123709 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 3709

Author(s):

Bader Alshuraiaan ◽

Sergey Pushkin ◽

Anastasia Kurilova ◽

Magdalena Mazur

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Fuel ◽

Nuclear Waste ◽

Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Economic Potential ◽

Nuclear Waste Storage ◽

Scientific Discussion ◽

Management Algorithm ◽

Waste Storage ◽

The Eu

Recently, issues related to the effects (benefit or harm) of processing nuclear waste and its further use as fuel have been increasingly often raised in the scientific discussion. In this regard, the research aims to investigate issues related to the assessment of the economic potential of nuclear waste use, as well as the cooperation between states in the context of the reduction of risks associated with nuclear waste storage and processing. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach, including statistical, factor analysis, and the proposed system of performance indicators for managing spent nuclear fuel use. The research was carried out on the basis of materials from Russia and the EU countries. In the course of the study, a model of cooperation between states has been developed (based on the example of technologies and methods of processing nuclear waste used in the EU and Russia) according to the nuclear waste (spent nuclear fuel) management algorithm. The model considers the risks and threats associated with ecology and safety. The developments and other results described in the study should be used in further research devoted to the use of nuclear waste as heat-producing elements.

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