From Waste to Watts: Redefining Radioactivity through Recycling —— Transforming a Liability into a Resource

23 August 2023 Monica Cai                 monica.cai@crm.szc-group.com

——Introduction: Rethinking Nuclear Waste——
As the demand for contemporary energy continues to surge, coupled with the worsening state of our environment, a revolutionary concept is gaining momentum in the energy sphere – the recycling of nuclear waste into a valuable power resource. This innovative approach not only holds the promise of resolving the longstanding issue of nuclear waste disposal but also stands to significantly enhance the efficiency of nuclear power generation.

——The Role of Nuclear Energy: A Global Energy Player——
While nuclear energy has an environmental impact, it remains a pivotal part of the global energy mix. It supplies a substantial portion of the world’s electricity and is expected to play an increasingly vital role as countries strive to reduce carbon emissions. However, the challenge of nuclear waste disposal has persisted for years. Conventional methods involve burying waste deep underground, a costly and environmentally risky endeavor. Nuclear energy’s place in the world’s energy mix has been in gradual decline since the late 1990s, when it accounted for just over 17% of global supply. A temporary decline in global nuclear power generation was also observed following the 2011 accident at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant and the subsequent shutdown of the country’s nuclear reactors. Some countries are looking at phasing out nuclear energy altogether, such as Germany which has adopted a policy of “Energiewende” (“energy shift”) toward renewables.

Nuclear energy is used by about 30 countries around the world, including Canada, and provides just over 10% of the world’s electricity. However, producing this energy generates radioactive waste with no foreseeable use and with a radioactive lifespan that can be of more than one million years. While there is therefore an international consensus on the need to come up with permanent solutions for the long-term storage (i.e., disposal) of this waste .
In Canada, four long-term, low- and intermediate-level waste management projects are expected to be completed in the coming years. Three of these projects involve the disposal of low-level waste owned by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in near-surface facilities
With respect to high-level waste, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization was established in 2002 as a not-for-profit organization to develop and implement a national long-term management plan for all of Canada’s spent nuclear fuel. This plan, known as Adaptive Phased Management, is expected to lead to the selection of a suitable site for a deep geological repository.

——Exploring Alternatives——
In light of these challenges, scientists and engineers have been exploring alternative ways to manage nuclear waste. One promising avenue is the recycling of nuclear waste, transforming it into a valuable power resource. Known as nuclear waste reprocessing, this involves treating spent nuclear fuel to extract valuable elements such as uranium and plutonium, which can then be used to create new fuel rods for nuclear reactors.

——The Complex Process: From Waste to Energy——
The process of nuclear waste reprocessing is intricate and demands advanced technologies. The spent nuclear fuel is initially cooled, followed by chemical processing to isolate valuable elements. These elements are then utilized to manufacture new fuel rods, which can be employed in nuclear reactors to generate power.

——Advantages and Challenges——
The benefits of nuclear waste recycling are many. Firstly, it reduces the volume of nuclear waste requiring disposal, thus alleviating the environmental and financial burden associated with waste management. Secondly, by repurposing elements that would otherwise be discarded, nuclear power generation efficiency is boosted. This not only enhances energy output from nuclear power plants but also extends the lifespan of nuclear fuel resources.

However, challenges persist in nuclear waste recycling. The process demands sophisticated technology, necessitating substantial investments in infrastructure and technology advancement. Moreover, concerns of nuclear proliferation arise, as materials produced during the process could potentially be diverted for weapon production.

—— Global Efforts ——
Despite these hurdles, numerous countries are forging ahead with nuclear waste recycling initiatives. France, a trailblazer in nuclear energy, draws 80 percent of its electricity from its 59 reactors. For decades, the country has adeptly recycled nuclear fuel, showcasing an efficient model. This process involves safely removing uranium and plutonium, key energy-producing elements, from the waste, and then converting them into fresh fuel, ready for reuse.

Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia, and Japan, have also established nuclear waste recycling plans.

The United Kingdom is forging ahead with a comprehensive strategy to tackle nuclear waste. This strategy is outlined with specific milestones, including capping activities at the Low Level Waste Repository commencing in 2024-25. A crucial step involves the development of proven thermal treatment technologies, which is targeted to be achieved by 2026-27. Moreover, by 2026, critical decisions will be made regarding the communities that will undergo in-depth testing as part of the ambitious Geological Disposal Facility program. These milestones underscore the UK’s proactive stance in managing nuclear waste efficiently and responsibly, setting an example for innovative waste management practices.

*Figure 1: The strategy is focused on goals to hit by 2030 (Image: NWS corporate strategy report 2023)*

In the United States, nuclear waste recycling has been a contentious issue for years. While the country currently doesn’t practice nuclear waste recycling, growing interest in the concept is evident, particularly as the U.S. strives to cut down on carbon emissions. The administration of President Joe Biden is actively endorsing the advancement of cutting-edge nuclear plants as a crucial step towards achieving the ambitious goal of decarbonizing the U.S. economy by 2050. This approach is founded on the belief that recycling spent nuclear fuel will provide a substantial impetus for the continued growth and progress of nuclear power.

Nuclear Energy Worldwide and in Canada
Nuclear energy is the world’s fourth-largest source of electricity after coal, natural gas and hydroelectric power. It provides just over 10% of the world’s electricity (see Figure2 ).

Figure 2 Canada – Global Power Generation, by Energy Source, 2017

Figure 3 – Canada’s Nuclear Industry at a Glance

Source: Figure prepared by the authors using data obtained from Natural Resources Canada [NRCan], Nuclear in Canada  (8.09 MB, 2 pages), 2017; NRCan, Energy Fact Book 2019–2020  (25.1 MB, 144 pages), 2019; and MZ Consulting Inc., Benefits of Nuclear Energy for Canadians  (1.2 MB, 19 pages), October 2019.

Source: Table prepared by the authors using data obtained from Natural Resources Canada, Inventory of Radioactive Waste in Canada 2016  (5.87 MB, 72 pages), 2018, p. 10.

Figure 4 – Inventory of Radioactive Waste in Canada

Figure 5 – Long-Term Low- and Intermediate-Level Waste Management Projects in Canada

Sources: Figure prepared by the authors using data obtained from Government of Canada, Deep Geologic Repository Project for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste; Government of Canada, Near Surface Disposal Facility Project; Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission [CNSC], “NRCan’s Port Hope Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Project,” Completed EAs; and CNSC, “Port Granby Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Project,” Completed EAs.

—— Conclusion: Revolutionizing Energy Dynamics ——
The transformation of nuclear waste into a valuable power resource through recycling is an innovative and promising solution that addresses the challenges of waste management and energy efficiency. While technical and political obstacles need to be overcome, the potential benefits position this method as a robust choice for the future of nuclear energy. In a world grappling with the dual challenges of climate change and energy security, nuclear waste recycling might very well change the game.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
In Canada, historic waste and waste from nuclear research facilities (including prototype reactors) are the property of the federal government, which has given responsibility for managing it to a Crown corporation, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). In 2016, these types of waste accounted for 94% of low-level waste (71% of which is historic waste) and 62% of intermediate-level waste in Canada

References:
1. How France is disposing of its nuclear waste?： https://asocon.org/ecologies/how-france-is-disposing-of-its-nuclear-waste.html#:~:text=France%2C%20whose%2059%20reactors%20generate%2080%20percent%20of,about%206%20percent%20in%20costs%20for%20the%20French.
2. UK launches Nuclear Waste Services strategy: https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/UK-launches-Nuclear-Waste-Services-strategy#:~:text=The%20strategy%20sets%20out%20key%20dates%2C%20such%20as,as%20part%20of%20the%20Geological%20Disposal%20Facility%20programme.
3. Russia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle: https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-o-s/russia-nuclear-fuel-cycle.aspx
4. U.S. funds projects to explore nuclear waste reprocessing: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-funds-projects-explore-nuclear-waste-reprocessing-2022-10-21/
5. Nuclear Energy and Radioactive Waste Management in Canada (parl.ca) https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/201941E