As the global demand for clean firm energy grows, advanced nuclear energy technologies are gaining significant attention and efforts to deploy them are underway. These advanced reactors offer numerous improvements in safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility largely due to the innovative fuel forms and coolants utilized in their design. These advanced reactors will also introduce new nuclear waste streams that can differ significantly from those generated by conventional reactors, depending on the specific reactor design. With new reactors come new waste forms.
This report characterizes the various waste streams that are generated by advanced nuclear reactors and examines both interim storage and permanent disposal pathways. Chapter 1 presents an introduction on the importance of understanding nuclear waste management to ensure successful deployment. Chapter 2 provides background information on nuclear waste, how nuclear waste is classified, and the potential disposal pathways for nuclear waste. Chapter 3 characterizes the various waste streams produced by advanced reactors. Chapter 4 discusses interim storage strategies being considered for advanced reactor wastes. Chapter 5 addresses permanent disposal pathways for advanced reactor wastes.
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