Question

A radioactive waste from a clinical laboratory contains 0.2 μCi (microcuries) of calcium-45 (45Ca) per litre. The reaction rate constant is 0.005/day. The radioactive calcium waste is treated in a pipe that is 200 m until it reaches below the maximum acceptable radioactivity of 0.01 μCi/L. Assume the pipe approximates a plug flow reactor

(d) Radioactive waste can be stored in a number of ways with two of the most common being deep well injection and above-ground storage (as per the example above). For deep well injection the radioactive waste is pumped hundreds or even thousands of metres below the surface of the Earth. Whereas, above-ground storage is often in buildings in isolated areas that are then guarded to prevent people from accessing the radioactive waste contained within.

What would be the advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these two methods of storing radioactive waste? Which of the two methods do you believe is superior for storing radioactive waste (explain why as part of your answer)?

Answer 1

Advantages of storing radioactive materials underground are

1.Storing underground involves a thick cover of soil which hinders almost all radiation to travel to the surroundings.

2.If a leakage occurs it can be corrected by adding more soil.

3.Since radioactive material has no contact with air therefore air born radioactive pollution in mitigated.

4.Storing underground allows the use of land over it for other purposes .

Disadvantages of storing nuclear waste materials underground are

1.Drilling deep bores consumes energy and it is bit difficult if the stratum is hard below the surface of ground.

2.It is difficult to monitor the underground stored radioactive material.

3.Leakages in storing pipes can disturb the underground water table conditions and due to which water table water will become unsafe for use.

Advantages of storing radioactive materials above ground

1.Radioactive material can be fully monitored in this type of storage.

2. There is no need of digging bore holes therefore no energy is required and it is to construct a aboveground storage as compared to underground storage.

3.Large pipes are not required here as required in underground storage.

Disadvantages of storing nuclear waste aboveground are

1.Land on which storage is done cannot be used for other purposes.

2.Since this type of storage has direct contact with air therefore it can cause radiation to effect the workers as air has less ability to damp the radiations.

3.Aboveground storage plant requires immense protection and frequent maintenance which adds to cost.

Among the two aboveground and underground storage options underground is most superior as it has less health hazards associated with it because At the end life has more value than money....