Back end of Indian nuclear fuel cycle-A road to sustainability

摘要

Indian policy of 'closed fuel cycle' implies reprocessing of the spent fuel thereby recycling the uranium and plutonium extracted from the spent fuel. Reprocessing leads to the generation of intermediate and high-level liquid wastes containing various radionuclides that need to be contained for periods ranging from few years to thousands of years. Low & intermediate level non-alpha solid and solidified wastes generated during reactor operation are disposed in near surface disposal facilities which are monitored regularly during and after operations. The normal gaseous and liquid wastes are discharged in air/water bodies after appropriate treatment and dilution and complying with regulatory norms of Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai.