Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Waste Management
– Radioactive pollution
– Energy Security
– India’s nuclear energy programme
Context
This article discusses challenges associated with nuclear waste management, particularly in the context of India’s nuclear power program.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 13th March 2024
How is nuclear waste generated?
Nuclear power presents a dual promise and challenge for countries like India striving for energy security while minimizing environmental impact. As nations advance through nuclear energy programs , the issue of nuclear waste management gains prominence. Spent fuel from reactors poses environmental and health risks due to its radioactivity.
India’s progress in its nuclear program, particularly its Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), and the associated challenges of nuclear waste management.
Understanding Nuclear Waste
- Nuclear waste is a byproduct of nuclear fission reactions occurring within nuclear reactors.
- During nuclear fission, the nuclei of certain elements, such as uranium-235, absorb neutrons and become unstable.
- This instability causes the nuclei to split into smaller fragments, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process.
- Spent fuel from nuclear reactors is highly radioactive and poses significant hazards.
- Spent fuel contains radioactive fission products, such as cesium-137 and strontium-90, which are formed during the fission process.
- Additionally, transuranic elements, such as plutonium and americium, are also present in spent fuel as byproducts of neutron absorption by uranium and other elements.
- The high level of radioactivity in spent fuel necessitates careful handling and storage.
Storage and Disposal Methods
- Spent Fuel Pools: Initially, spent fuel is stored underwater in specially designed pools located within the nuclear power plant.
- Water serves as a shield against radiation and helps dissipate heat produced by the decaying radioactive isotopes.
- Dry cask storage involves placing spent fuel inside large steel cylinders filled with inert gas, sealed shut, and placed in larger steel or concrete chambers.
- Geological disposal involves burying specially containerized waste deep underground in granite or clay formations, providing long-term isolation from human activity.
- Reprocessing: Reprocessing involves extracting usable materials, such as plutonium and uranium, from spent nuclear fuel. While this reduces the volume of waste and can potentially recover valuable resources for reuse in nuclear reactors, it also presents challenges related to handling and managing radioactive materials.
- Liquid Waste Treatment and Disposal: Liquid waste treatment facilities are essential components of nuclear power plants, managing the disposal of low-level radioactive liquid waste.
- Disposal methods for liquid waste include discharge into controlled environments after treatment, evaporation to reduce volume, chemical precipitation to form solid waste, or absorption onto solid matrices for containment.
- Eg. Fukushima plant to Pacific ocean
Challenges in Handling Nuclear Waste
- Nuclear waste is hot and radioactive, requiring storage underwater for several decades before it can be transferred to dry cask storage.
- Countries with nuclear power programs accumulate significant amounts of spent fuel, requiring long-term storage solutions due to the millennia-long persistence of radioactivity.
- Liquid waste treatment had raised concerns among local population as seen with case of Japan’s Fukushima plant.
Concerns and Issues
- Instances like the Asse II salt mine in Germany and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in the U.S. highlight concerns over potential contamination and failures in waste management facilities.
- Cost Implications: Waste management constitutes a significant portion of the overall cost of nuclear power, with estimates suggesting it can range from $1.6 to $7.1 per megawatt-hour of energy produced.
- Costs are distributed across various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, including front-end waste management, power plant operation, decommissioning, and back-end waste management
| Case Study Asse II Salt Mine (Germany) Asse II is a salt mine located in Germany where thousands of drums filled with nuclear waste had been stored for over three decades. Concerns arose regarding the potential contamination of water resources, including groundwater, in the area due to the presence of nuclear waste. Engineers embarked on a decontamination project to address these concerns, which was estimated to cost between €5 billion and €10 billion and take around 30 years to complete. This case highlights the challenges and costs associated with managing nuclear waste stored in underground facilities and the potential risks to the environment and public. |
- Management Failures: Siting repositories for nuclear waste often encounters failures, raising ethical and environmental justice concerns, particularly regarding the export of hazardous materials.
| Case Study Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) (United States) WIPP is a deep geological repository located in New Mexico, USA, designed for the disposal of transuranic radioactive waste.The facility experienced an accident in 2014 that resulted in the release of small quantities of radioactive materials into the environment. This incident revealed serious failures in maintenance and safety protocols at the site, raising concerns about the long-term viability and safety of nuclear waste disposal in geological repositories. The WIPP case underscores the importance of rigorous safety measures and continuous monitoring in nuclear waste management to prevent accidents and mitigate environmental risks. |
- Uncertainties exist regarding the effectiveness of waste treatment technologies, such as vitrification plants, and the risks associated with liquid waste storage.
Nuclear Waste Management in India
According to a 2015 report of the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM)
- India operates reprocessing plants in Trombay, Tarapur, and Kalpakkam, which handle spent fuel from research reactors and power reactors to produce plutonium for reactor fuel and potential military applications.
- Low and intermediate-level radioactive waste generated at nuclear power stations is managed on-site through treatment and storage facilities, with surrounding areas monitored for radioactivity.
- Delays in the commissioning of facilities like the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor suggest operational challenges, highlighting the complexities of managing nuclear waste in India.
Conclusion
As nations pursue nuclear energy for energy security and environmental sustainability, effective nuclear waste management remains paramount. The safe storage and disposal of nuclear waste demand sophisticated solutions and stringent regulation to mitigate environmental and health risks. Balancing energy needs with waste management imperatives requires a holistic approach, incorporating technological innovation, regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation.
Related Topics
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world’s pre-eminent intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.
It is widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family.
Though established as an autonomous organisation, independently of the United Nations through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute, the IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
Mandate:
- Promoting Safe and Peaceful Nuclear Applications: The IAEA collaborates with its member states to foster the development and implementation of safe, sustainable nuclear technologies across various sectors, including medicine, agriculture, and power generation.
- Strengthening Nuclear Non-Proliferation: The IAEA plays a central role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. They achieve this through a robust verification regime that includes inspections and safeguards programs to ensure compliance with international treaties.
- Enhancing Global Nuclear Safety and Security: The IAEA establishes and promotes international safety standards for nuclear facilities and materials.
- They also provide technical assistance and expertise to member states to bolster their national nuclear safety and security infrastructure.
References
International Atomic Energy Agency
Practice Question
Discuss the challenges and strategies associated with nuclear waste management in the context of India’s nuclear energy program. [150 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction:
- Briefly introduce India’s nuclear energy program.
- Mention the importance of nuclear waste management in the context of this program.
Body:
- Discuss the challenges associated with nuclear waste management in India.
- Elaborate on the strategies India has adopted to address these challenges.
Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points discussed in the body.
- Conclude by emphasizing the significance of effective nuclear waste management for the success of India’s nuclear energy program.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!