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SUMMARY:Solving the high level nuclear waste problem. - Dr Lou Vance (Aust
 ralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
DTSTART:20081104T163000Z
DTEND:20081104T173000Z
UID:TALK14288@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:11283
DESCRIPTION:Many thousands of tonnes of high-level nuclear waste (HLW) in 
 the form of spent fuel from commercial nuclear power reactors or as tank w
 astes from weapons production exist around the world. Fifty-odd years of i
 nternational research on HLW disposition is put in some perspective. It wi
 ll be argued that understanding of appropriate technology and waste form m
 aterials already exists for appropriate disposition of much of the HLW. Ho
 wever different HLWs have different chemical characteristics and the expon
 ents of different technologies do not yet agree which are the best solutio
 ns for given HLWs\, creating the illusion that the technical basis of the 
 "nuclear waste problem" remains unsolved.\n\nOf course repository siting r
 emains controversial and the regulatory situation for final disposition of
  HLW is not totally clear. Some research issues need to be clarified furth
 er\, for instance long-term aqueous dissolution of various waste forms\, e
 specially when substantial radiation damage from actinide decay has occurr
 ed. Also if and when fuel recycling becomes the norm\, different waste str
 eams for immobilisation will be created and will require demonstration bef
 ore implementation.\n\n
LOCATION:Tilley Lecture Theatre\, Department of Earth Sciences\, Downing S
 ite
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