Fuel & Waste Info Flashcards
What is HALEU?
It is low-enriched uranium fuel known as High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU), which is neither weapons-grade nor useful for radioactive dirty bombs. It satisfies all nuclear non-proliferation goals.
How much nuclear fuel is needed to power the energy needs of one person/year?
Only 30 grams
What are the categories of nuclear waste?
High-level waste: 95% radioactive (3% of the total)
Intermediate level waste: 4% radioactive (7% of total)
Low-level waste 1% radioactive (90% of the total).
Does the U.S. have a permanent disposal site?
No. But there is renewed interest in Yucca Mountain and private companies are getting licenses for private storage facilities.
How does nuclear waste compare with coal waste?
Coal is the largest producer of CO2 emissions, nuclear has none.
Coal generates ton of coal ash waste, which contains uranium, cesium, arsenic, nickel, aluminum, copper and lead and which is often stored in shallow and unlined pits, which can leak into water tables and be blown around. These ash ponds pose immediate danger to the public and many are a risk of releasing this toxic slurry due to weather and flooding, unlike nuclear waste, which is stored in containers.
