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Radioactive
waste originates from very diverse sources. There are three main sources
of radioactive waste:
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the
generation of electricity by nuclear means; |
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applications
in medicine, agriculture and industry; |
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the
decommissioning of nuclear facilities. |
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The
generation of electricity by nuclear means
Approximately
80% of the radioactive waste in Belgium originates from companies
involved in generating electricity by nuclear means:
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operation
of the nuclear reactors in Doel (4 reactors) and Tihange (3
reactors);
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production
of nuclear fuel by Belgonucleaire and FBFC International in
Dessel; |
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reprocessing
of spent nuclear fuel by the French company COGEMA, paid for
by SYNATOM; |
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research
in the field of nuclear power by SCK·CEN in Mol, the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM)
in Geel, and by universities. |
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A
nuclear power plant produces radioactive waste every day, in addition
to the spent nuclear fuel. This includes parts (e.g. pipes, valves,
manometers), waste from water or gas treatment plants (e.g. sludge
and filters) and protective equipment (e.g. gloves and overshoes).
This type of waste is called operational waste. It is partly processed
in the nuclear power plant in accordance with ONDRAF/NIRAS specifications.
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Applications
in medicine, agriculture and industry
Radioactive
materials also find an application in medicine, agriculture and industry.
In hospitals, for example, radioactive materials and ionizing radiation
are used daily, both to diagnose illnesses (scanner,...) and to treat them
(irradiation of cancerous tumours,...). Research into these radioactive
materials, as well as their production and use generate radioactive waste.
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Nuclear
medicine
One
application of radioactive materials is medical imaging. The patient
is first injected with a radioactive substance with a short half-life.
Then, using special equipment, it is possible to visualise and record
the activity of certain organs, such as the brain.
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Irradiated
food
Certain
foodstuffs are irradiated to kill bacteria and extend their preservation.
The food itself does not become radioactive and consumers are not
irradiated or contaminated. The same technique is used to sterilise
medical instruments and equipment. |
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Weld
X-rays
Radioactive
materials are used to X-ray welds, as here in pipelines. The images
obtained enable weld defects to be detected without damaging the
welds themselves.
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Decommissioning of nuclear facilities
Decommissioning
involves decontaminating nuclear facilities that are no longer in
use. Contaminated equipments are removed and contaminated surfaces
are scrapped. Once the materials and equipment have been completely
decontaminated, they can be recycled or disposed of in the same way
as ordinary industrial waste. The rest is radioactive waste.
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Scraping
a radioactively contaminated floor.
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If you don't understand a term, please refer to our glossary.
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