An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation

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.

The fully revised second edition focuses on core technologies and has an integrated approach to immobilization and hazardsEach chapter focuses on a different matrix used in nuclear waste immobilization: cement, bitumen, glass and new materialsKeeps the most important issues surrounding nuclear waste - such as treatment schemes and technologies and disposal - at the forefront

1. Introduction to immobilisation
2. Nuclear decay
3. Contaminants and hazards
4. Heavy metals
5. Naturally occurring radionuclides
6. Background radiation
7. Nuclear waste regulations
8. Principles of nuclear waste management
9. Sources and characteristics of nuclear waste
10. Short-lived waste radionuclides
11. Long-lived waste radionuclides
12. Management and characterisation of radioactive waste
13. Pre-treatment of radioactive wastes
14. Treatment of radioactive wastes
15. Immobilisation of radioactive wastes in cement
16. Immobilisation of radioactive wastes in bitumen
17. Immobilisation of radioactive wastes in glass
18. New immobilising hosts and technologies
19. Nuclear waste disposal
20. Performance assessment