Radioactive element energy storage

What happens when radioactive materials are stored?

The initial energy is usually degraded into heat energy. The storage of either radioactive materials or radioactive wastes needs special consideration for the personnel working with them, for the people sitting close by the source of radioactivity, and the environment.

Should radioactive waste be stored?

Similarly, the storage of radioactive waste has no benefit, rather it is an action that is needed to protect man from the hazard that the waste presents. Even spent nuclear fuel, and other radioactive materials that may have some future use, must be managed until the time when they can be re-used.

Is storage a solution to long-lived radioactive waste?

Storage is defined as the emplacement of waste materials in such a manner that the later retrieval can be carried out and with the intention of doing so. Therefore, storage is a temporary measure by definition and cannot constitute a solution of the problem of long-lived radioactive waste.

How does radioactive waste storage affect nuclear power?

Unless it is properly tackled, the absence of a solution to radioactive waste storage contributes to public opposition toward nuclear power. This barrier in turn affects the promotion of nuclear power as an energy source with the increasing demand of energy for industrial purposes (Tochiyama and Masuda, 2013).

What are radioactive materials and radioactive wastes?

Radioactive materials and radioactive wastes are energetic systems and continuously emit energy in the form of radiation. The radiation emitted is absorbed in several different forms by the target materials. The initial energy is usually degraded into heat energy.

How long should nuclear waste be stored?

In each of the above mentioned countries, there is the possibility that the Government may decide to adopt a policy of long-term storage (i.e. storage for about 100 years or more) for some or all long-lived radioactive wastes and/or spent nuclear fuel.