ETHAN WANG

Studying The Benefits and Challenges of Reprocessing Nuclear Waste

Started July 6, 2023

Abstract or project description

Nuclear power is crucial in addressing climate change and achieving the goal of global zero carbon emissions in the next few decades. However, with nuclear power comes nuclear waste, which can lead to costly environmental and proliferation concerns. With nuclear waste reprocessing, the amount of dangerous waste can be reduced significantly, and spent fuel can be reused and recycled. The goal of this study is to analyze the reprocessing of nuclear waste using chemical separation methods, its advantages, as well as its constraints. We will consider the amount of nuclear waste that currently exists, and how much of it can be used in nuclear reprocessing. Currently, only a few countries are actively investigating reprocessing and considering it for active use in the nuclear fuel cycle. As more countries develop nuclear power, the problem of nuclear waste becomes more prevalent, and reprocessing in these countries will be crucial to the future and sustained development of nuclear power.