Nuclear Waste Management: Recycling and Long-term Safe Storage

Nuclear energy production generates nuclear waste. Nuclear and radioactive waste, especially high level waste (HLW) and intermediate level waste (ILW), require special long-term safe management solutions. One part of the solution involves recycling through reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Recycling reduces the volume of nuclear waste and allows for the reuse of some of its components. This can be achieved through methods such as adsorption, ion exchange, coagulation, flotation, filtration, chemical precipitation, reverse osmosis, and solvent extraction, like the PUREX process. Another possible future solution involves partitioning and transmutation technology, which can reduce the production of nuclear waste. The best long-term solution is the immobilisation of HLW and ILW in a solid matrix. Materials used for this purpose include glasses, cements, bitumen, geopolymers, concrete, and ceramics as a promising material. While cementation is still the most commonly used immobilisation method due to its low cost and simplicity, vitrification is a more permanent long-term solution. Deep geological disposal in combination with vitrification and a robust multi-barrier system is considered the most acceptable solution for safe nuclear waste isolation. This review provides insight into the mostly commonly used and promising immobilisation materials, as well as the most effective methods and technologies currently in use and under development for the management of HLW and ILW in nuclear waste management.