Chinese Scientists Developed Technology on Spent Nuclear Fuel Separation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 08, 2002

Chinese Scientists Developed Technology on Spent Nuclear Fuel Separation

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China is capable of solving nuclear waste disposal problem, said Qiu Guoyi, member of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at a press conference on the issue of nuclear station safety, Chinese scientists have developed a separation technology on the spent nuclear fuel.

According to reports, there are about 2 percent of radioactive substances existing in the spent fuel, and the radioactive material of the semi-exhausted substance will last for millions of years. Should such substance be not disposed properly, it will entail damages for generations after generations to come once they enter into human's living environment, such as water.

International nuclear circle attaches great importance to this issue, a kind of separation technology-transmutation technology is being explored to realize the final disposal of the spent fuel.

Qiu said that China's technology has been eyed by international nuclear circle. By using this technology, uranium and plutonium left in the spent fuel can be extracted and reused, the semi-exhausted radioactive substances can be singled out.

When asked about the shocking Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Qiu said, according to expert's appraisal, the nuclear station had defects in design. It does not completely conform to international standard, researchers say that even though such accident is going to happen, the conclusion will remain unchanged, i.e. nuclear energy is a safe, clean energy and to develop nuclear energy is one of the most efficient ways for solving energy pollution.

What's Spent Nuclear Fuel

Nuclear fuel starts with uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive material. The uranium ore is mined and refined into a brightly-colored solid uranium compound referred to as "yellow cake".

The yellow cake is converted into various uranium metal alloys or compunds to be used as nuclear fuel. The uranium is formed into rods, pellets, or plates.

They are completely sealed ("clad") with metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, or zircaloy to provide structural strength and to surround the fuel to prevent the release of radioactive particles.

By PD Online Staff Li Yan

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