Nuclear energy consists of a large number of enterprises for various purposes. Raw materials for this industry are mined in uranium mines. After it is delivered to the fuel manufacturing enterprises.
Next, the fuel is transported to nuclear plants, where it falls into the reactor core. When nuclear fuel spends its time, it is reprocessed. Processing waste must be disposed of. It is worth noting that hazardous waste appears not only after fuel processing, but also at any stage - from uranium mining to operation in the reactor.
Nuclear fuel
There are two types of fuel. The first is uranium mined in mines, respectively, of natural origin. It contains raw materials that can form plutonium. The second is fuel, which is created artificially (secondary).
Nuclear fuel is also divided by chemical composition: metal, oxide, carbide, nitride and mixed.
Uranium mining and fuel production
Only a few countries account for a large share of uranium mining: Russia, France, Australia, the USA, Canada and South Africa.
Uranium is the main element for fuel in nuclear power plants. To get into the reactor, it goes through several stages of processing. Most often, uranium deposits are located next to gold and copper, so its mining is carried out with the mining of precious metals.
In development, human health is at great risk because uranium is a toxic material, and the gases that appear during its extraction cause a variety of forms of cancer. Although the ore itself contains a very small amount of uranium - from 0.1 to 1 percent. The population living near uranium mines is also at great risk.
Enriched uranium is the main fuel for nuclear plants, but a huge amount of radioactive waste remains after its use. Despite all its danger, uranium enrichment is an integral process of creating nuclear fuel.
In its natural form, uranium is practically impossible to use anywhere. In order to use, it must be enriched. For enrichment, gas centrifuges are used.
Enriched uranium is used not only in nuclear energy, but also in the production of weapons.
Transportation
At any stage of the fuel cycle there is transportation. It is carried out in all available ways: by land, sea, air. This is a big risk and a big danger not only for the environment, but also for humans.
During the transportation of nuclear fuel or its elements, many accidents occur, the consequence of which is the release of radioactive elements. This is one of the many reasons why nuclear power is considered unsafe.
Reactor failure
None of the reactors have been dismantled. Even the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The thing is that, according to experts, the dismantling price is equal to, or even exceeds the price of building a new reactor. But no one can say for sure how much money will be needed: the cost was calculated on the experience of dismantling small stations for research. Specialists offer two options:
- Place reactors and spent nuclear fuel in repositories.
- Build sarcophagi over decommissioned reactors.
In the next ten years, about 350 reactors around the world will exhaust their resources and should be disabled. But since the most suitable method for security and price was not invented, this issue is still being addressed.
There are 436 reactors operating worldwide now. Of course, this is a big contribution to the energy system, but it is very unsafe. Studies show that in 15-20 years, nuclear power plants can be replaced by stations that operate on wind energy and solar panels.
Nuclear waste
A huge amount of nuclear waste is generated as a result of nuclear power plants. The reprocessing of nuclear fuel also leaves behind hazardous waste. However, none of the countries found a solution to the problem.
Today, nuclear waste is held in temporary storage facilities, in pools with water or buried shallow underground.
The safest way is to store in special storages, but radiation leakage is also possible here, as with other methods.
In fact, nuclear waste has some value, but require strict adherence to the rules for their storage. And this is the most acute problem.
An important factor is the time during which the waste is hazardous. Each radioactive substance has its own decay period, during which it is toxic.
Types of nuclear waste
During the operation of any nuclear power plant, its waste enters the environment. This is water for cooling turbines and gaseous waste.
Nuclear waste is divided into three categories:
- Low level - clothes of NPP employees, laboratory equipment. Such waste can also come from medical institutions, scientific laboratories. They do not pose a great danger, but require the observance of security measures.
- Intermediate level - metal containers in which fuel is transported. Their radiation level is quite high, and those who are close to them should be protected.
- A high level is spent nuclear fuel and its processed products. The level of radioactivity is rapidly decreasing. High level waste is very small, about 3 percent, but they contain 95 percent of all radioactivity.