Microbial Degradation Processes in Radioactive Waste Repository and in Nuclear Fuel Storage Areas

Microbial Degradation Processes in Radioactive Waste Repository and in Nuclear Fuel Storage Areas
Author: J.H. Wolfram
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 312
Release: 1997-03-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780792344889

Purpose ofthe Workshop In the spirit of enhancing developments in science and technology by facilitating international scientific cooperation, the Science Committee of NATO is sponsoring AR W's in several selected priority areas. The objective of this workshop was to discuss what microbial mediated problems have been experienced in the area of nuclear waste management and spent fuel storage. Long term storage of high-level wastes in repositories is just starting in some countries. However, low and medium level wastes have been stored for several decades. In the area of spent fuel interim, storage has been extended at many locations far beyond the intended time. It was a priority of the workshop to examine and discuss what deleterious effects have been observed under these storage conditions or under conditions used in simulated trial tests for predicting material performance under the storage conditions. For example, one chronic problem that was discussed was possibility that microbial influenced corrosion (MIC) could be taking place in the wet storage of spent fuel thereby initiating or accelerating the process of corrosion. Another discussion in the area of waste forms, focused on the presence ofbiofilms which may be breaking down the structure of the waste form and thereby jeopardizing its integrity. The meeting focused on discussing the observations and data collected relating to problems encountered in the storage of these types of wastes, and sharing this information with others that have not monitored their facilities for similar problems.

The Microbiology of Nuclear Waste Disposal

The Microbiology of Nuclear Waste Disposal
Author: Jonathan R. Lloyd
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2020-11-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 012818695X

The Microbiology of Nuclear Waste Disposal is a state-of-the-art reference featuring contributions focusing on the impact of microbes on the safe long-term disposal of nuclear waste. This book is the first to cover this important emerging topic, and is written for a wide audience encompassing regulators, implementers, academics, and other stakeholders. The book is also of interest to those working on the wider exploitation of the subsurface, such as bioremediation, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, and water quality. Planning for suitable facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia has been based mainly on knowledge from the geological and physical sciences. However, recent studies have shown that microbial life can proliferate in the inhospitable environments associated with radioactive waste disposal, and can control the long-term fate of nuclear materials. This can have beneficial and damaging impacts, which need to be quantified. Encompasses expertise from both the bio and geo disciplines, aiming to foster important collaborations across this disciplinary divide Includes reviews and research papers from leading groups in the field Provides helpful guidance in light of plans progressing worldwide for geological disposal facilities Includes timely research for planning and safety case development

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion
Author: Brenda J. Little
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 295
Release: 2007-04-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0470112441

A multi-disciplinary, multi-industry overview of microbiologically influenced corrosion, with strategies for diagnosis and control or prevention Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion helps engineers and scientists understand and combat the costly failures that occur due to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). This book combines recent findings from diverse disciplines into one comprehensive reference. Complete with case histories from a variety of environments, it covers: Biofilm formation Causative organisms, relating bacteria and fungi to corrosion mechanisms for groups of metals Diagnosing and monitoring MIC Electrochemical techniques, with an overview of methods for detection of MIC The impact of alloying elements, including antimicrobial metals, and design features on MIC MIC of non-metallics Strategies for control or prevention of MIC, including engineering, chemical, and biological approaches This is a valuable, all-inclusive reference for corrosion scientists, engineers, and researchers, as well as designers, managers, and operators.

Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement

Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement
Author: S. Norris
Publisher: Geological Society of London
Total Pages: 618
Release: 2014-10-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 186239654X

This Special Publication contains 43 scientific studies presented at the 5th conference on ‘Clays in natural and engineered barriers for radioactive waste confinement’ held in Montpellier, France in 2012. The conference and this resulting volume cover all the aspects of clay characterization and behaviour considered at various temporal and spatial scales relevant to the confinement of radionuclides in clay, from basic phenomenological process descriptions to the global understanding of performance and safety at repository and geological scales. Special emphasis has been given to the modelling of processes occurring at the mineralogical level within the clay barriers. The papers in this Special Publication consider research into argillaceous media under the following topic areas: large-scale geological characterization; clay-based concept/large-scale experiments; hydrodynamical modelling; geochemistry; geomechanics; mass transfer/gas transfer; mass transfer mechanisms. The collection of different topics presented in this Special Publication demonstrates the diversity of geological repository research.

Environmental Science and Technology

Environmental Science and Technology
Author: Stanley E. Manahan
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 668
Release: 1997-08-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781566702133

This broad overview covers the four traditional spheres of the environment: water, air, earth, and life, and introduces a fifth sphere - the "anthrosphere" - which the author defines as the sphere of human activities, especially technology, that affect the earth. Environmental Science and Technology is organized into six major areas; one for each of the five spheres and one introductory section that explains the fundamentals of chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry. Throughout the book, the relationships among the five spheres and their connections to the sciences are emphasized. For better or worse, technology is closely intertwined with the other four spheres. Humans utilize resources, manufacture goods, practice agriculture, and engage in other activities that have profound effects on the planet. This unique text/reference takes a realistic look at the environmental effects of human activities, and shows how constructively directed technology can have a beneficial effect on the Earth.

Dismantlement and Destruction of Chemical, Nuclear and Conventional Weapons

Dismantlement and Destruction of Chemical, Nuclear and Conventional Weapons
Author: N. Schulte
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 266
Release: 1997-02-28
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780792344704

The end ofthe Cold War opened unprecedented opportunities for reductions in weapons of mass destruction. With these opportunities came new challenges, both scientific and political. Traditionally approached by different groups, the scientific, technical and political challenges are inextricably intertwined. Agreements to dismantle and destroy chemical, nuclear and conventional weapons, after having been negotiated via diplomatic channels, require the expertise of scientists associated with their development to determine the safest and most environmentally sound methods of destruction. It is in this context that representatives from sixteen countries and five international organizations were convened jointly by NATO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany and the State Government of North Rhine Westphalia 19-21 May, 1996 in a meeting near Bonn to take stock of worldwide efforts to destroy and dismantle chemical, nuclear and conventional weapons remaining after the end ofthe Cold War. NATO support was provided under the auspices of the NATO Science Committee's Panel on Disarmament Technologies. The conference brought together the major actors involved in the dismantlement and destruction of chemical, nuclear and conventional weapons, highlighted the substantial accomplishments achieved in this area and pinpointed the remaining technical obstacles still to be overcome. It also underlined the critical importance of transparency, data exchange and verification as indispensable preconditions for disarmament and cooperative security.

Microbial Biotechnology

Microbial Biotechnology
Author: Rajesh Arora
Publisher: CABI
Total Pages: 396
Release: 2012
Genre: Biomass energy
ISBN: 9781845939571

This book focuses on two key issues confronting humanity, viz., energy and environment. There is a need to devise strategies for protecting the environment, at the same time adequately meeting the ever-growing energy needs of the world. Harnessing the power of microbes is one step towards finding cheap, green and sustainable solutions to the problems of energy and environment. The book is divided into eight major topics. These topics include emerging trends in microbial biotechnology, harnessing sustainable energy sources from microorganisms, mechanistics of bioenergy production, bioenergy from wastes and pollutant removal, microalgae for biofuels, bioremediation technologies for petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and xenobiotics, bioremediation of nuclear wastes, and the role of extremophilic microorganisms in environmental cleanup.

Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Disposal Systems

Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Disposal Systems
Author: Damien Féron
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2020-11-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1000107116

In the different disposal concepts for high-level nuclear waste, corrosion of the metallic barriers and in particular the overpack/container is a major issue. It is imperative for performance assessment to predict the lifetime of these containers. In the lifetime prediction of metallic barriers for the disposal of high level nuclear waste (HLW) or of spent fuel, the presence of (reduced) sulphur species is an issue of growing importance, as the sulphur species are involved in localised corrosion phenomena. The international workshop on Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Waste Disposal Systems (SACNUC2008) aimed to provide an exchange of information on the influence of sulphur species on the corrosion of metallic barriers. This workshop was a co-organisation of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK*CEN, and the Belgian Agency for the Management of Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, ONDRAF/NIRAS, under the auspices of the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC event N 311). The proceedings are divided into five chapters: Chapter 1 provides a general overview of the disposal concepts of nuclear waste and the role of corrosion. Chapter 2 explains the mechanism of sulphur-induced corrosion processes. This chapter also contains information from outside the nuclear disposal field in which sulphur is known to act as a detrimental factor (e.g. oil and gas industry). Chapter 3 addresses the role of microbial processes in sulphur-assisted corrosion. Chapter 4 covers the modelling of sulphide-assisted corrosion. Chapter 5 is devoted to a panel discussion aiming to identify open issues in the investigation of sulphur-assisted corrosion phenomena and how to incorporate these in robust lifetime prediction of metallic barriers.