Energy is the result of the interaction and exchange between the forces of nature: gravitational, electromagnetic, nuclear and weak nuclear. There are different types of energy depending on the form or the medium used for its manifestation, such as thermal, mechanical, electrical or light energy, being, today, one of our most precious basic resources.
Without energy we could not use the vast majority of devices or tools that we use in our daily lives, so that our lifestyle would be seriously affected. Due to this, the use of nuclear energy is essential to be able to cover the demand and electricity consumption of our current society. At Ecologist Verde we explain what this type of energy is, what waste it produces and what is a nuclear graveyard to treat these residues.
What is the nuclear energy
The nuclear energy is the one that is generated by disintegration of atoms of a specific material, uranium. This disintegration is achieved through the bombardment of neutrons that cause the decomposition of the nucleus of the uranium atom and a large amount of energy is released, which produces the heat with which the water contained in the reactors is boiled, generating the steam with which The turbines located inside it move and, in this way, produce electricity.
In this other article we explain what are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.
What waste nuclear energy generates
The activity of a nuclear power plant generates different types of nuclear waste, from those materials contaminated by the simple use in the installation to the fuel remains. These generally emit radiation that can be harmful to human health and the environment, so it is necessary that they be classified and treated according to their radiation level:
- Low and medium level nuclear waste (clothing, tools and material used in the maintenance of the plant). Some are diluted and eliminated in the natural environment, since their radioactive concentration is as small as that of a television and the law allows it. Others are subjected to treatments to separate the radioactive elements. The resulting waste is introduced into steel drums and solidified with tar, resins or cement, being stored on the surface or at shallow depth until the radioactive period ends, which are considered temporary warehouses.
- High-level nuclear waste (generated mainly from spent fuel). The fuel is extracted from the reactor and temporarily stored in a tank inside the plant built with stainless steel and concrete walls, to avoid leaks. Part of this fuel can be reused in special plants, although the most common practice is to put the residue in very durable and corrosion-resistant metal containers, which are stored in final landfills, also known as "nuclear cemeteries".
What are nuclear cemeteries
In this section we focus on the main question about what is a nuclear graveyard, which has led us to discuss the issue of nuclear energy. Nuclear cemeteries are nothing more than the final deposit to which radioactive nuclear waste goes.
Is about deep geological storages that gather a series of determined characteristics such as: stability, thickness, retention capacity and absence of preferential routes. In essence, this solution consists of creating a multi-barrier system between the waste and the biosphere, so that the radioactive remains remain confined and isolated.
One of the most important factors when using this type of storage is the geological formation to be used, of which the depth also varies, the most appropriate types of rocks being clays and metamorphic or volcanic magmatic hard rocks, such as example granite, basalt or tuff. So for hard rock locations the usual depth is between 500 and 1,000 meters, paying attention that the formations are slightly fractured and do not show cracks.
Contrary to temporary storage, in this case, there is no intention of recovering the waste, in the same way that, although there are surveillance actions of the facility and the natural environment near it, there are no long-term controls of the facility . In other words, the deep geological storage facility is closed and sealed, thus allowing the storage of residual material to be permanent and thus receiving the nickname "nuclear graveyard".
Far from the uncertainty and mistrust that this type of facility may cause us, the truth is that, currently, it is the safest solution since it provides the protection of the human being and the environment against radiation and at the same time it takes advantage of the geological formations. In addition to being the safest solution against possible theft or sabotage. However, possible better solutions are still being investigated.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is a nuclear graveyard, we recommend that you enter our category of non-renewable energies.
