We know that #NuclearEnergy is one of the largest sources of zero-emissions power in the 🌎, but as any other energy-generation industry, it generates a "waste".

And I got some news for you: It is actually consider a valuable resource, not a waste!
Say what!? πŸ‘€

Don’t worry, the πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ @GovNuclear published:
β€œ5 Fast Facts About #SpentNuclearFuel”

Let’s read it and keep learning together:
1.#NuclearWaste is an incorrect term for used or spent fuel (Let’s all take note! - myself included)πŸ“

#UsedFuel is made up of metal fuel rods that contains small ceramic pellets of enriched U-235 & it always stay in a solid state.
2. The U.S. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ has produced roughly 83,000 metric tons of used fuel since 1950s.

This may sound like a lot, but it actually fit on a single football field at a depth of less than 10 yards.🏈
3. The are 76 sites in 34 U.S. states that can store used fuel!

#SpentFuel rods are safely and securely enclosed in steel-lined concrete pools of water or in concrete containers.πŸ‘‡
4. Transportation of spent fuel have occurred around the U.S. without any radiological releases.πŸšƒ

Used fuel is shipped in special casks that are designed to withstand more than 99% of vehicle accidents, including water immersion, impact, punctures and fires.

Check them out! πŸ‘‡
5. Spent fuel CAN BE RECYCLED! ♻️

France currently recycle used fuel, since more than 90% of its potential energy still remains in the fuel, even after 5 yr of operation in a reactor.

Check out the fuel cycle πŸ‘‡
You can find the infographic here:
πŸ“– energy.gov/ne/downloads/i…

We should definitely check out the recycling process next, what do you think? β™»οΈπŸ€”

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More from @NuclearHazelnut

Mar 30
Do you know how many bananas you need to eat to die of radiation? 😱

That's right, you can die of radiation by eating 🍌. But don't worry! I don’t actually think anyone would dare to do it.

So, here is a guide on: What to know before you go bananas about #NuclearRadiation?
In 2017 the @UofCalifornia read our minds by answering a question that we all have:

How much #radiation is too much radiation? And well, the answer is more simple than we thought πŸ‘‰it’s just a bunch of bananas.
But first, we need to get familiar and understand some terms. Are you ready?

Everything is composed of atoms (Yep, the periodic table). Some of these atoms are unstable & decay or break apart, & when this happens it emits what we call #Radiation.
Read 10 tweets
Mar 29
Check out this great question by @CleanEnRev !

Have you ever wonder how is spent fuel transported?
Let's find out πŸ‘‡
First of all, fuel assemblies remain submerged during all handling operations. The minimum shielding requirement is ~3m of water for a high burn-up, & they use special cranes for handling operations

Check out one of the main differences between #BWRs and #PWRs spent fuel poolsπŸ‘‡
BWR pools are filled with demineralized water, and PWR pools are normally filled with a dilute (~0.2M) boric acid solutionπŸ’§

The role of boric acid in nuclear power plant is basically to control nuclear fission rate (among other uses)

Check out these 2 cross-section picsπŸ‘‡ ImageImage
Read 5 tweets
Mar 25
Can you throw #NuclearWaste in the trash can?πŸ—‘

Will you become The Hulk if you are exposed to its #radiation?πŸ§Ÿβ€β™€οΈ

Do you actually know what happens with nuclear waste?

Come! Let’s find out πŸ‘‡

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t glow green like you see in some movies.
Before we get into crazy nuclear terms, let’s identify the types of #NuclearWaste:
Β 
High-Level: Most of the #NuclearWaste- the β€˜scary’ one

Intermediate-L: Components, medical & lab items- πŸ₯ also generate this waste

Low-L: Tools, clothes-Hospitals, research facilities, NPP too
Ready for the action? Now we need to get something straight:

#Radiation?Moving energy. It’s a natural process

So, #Radioactivity refers to an atom losing energy by emitting particles capable of removing electrons from other atoms ⚠️Could be hazardous
Β 
We’ll discuss this later*
Read 12 tweets
Mar 22
A containment building of a #NuclearPowerPlant is a thick structure design to resist earthquakes, overpressure and hurricane winds.πŸŒͺ

But, have you ever wonder what would happen if a jet crashed into it? Let’s find out together πŸ›© Image
Lucky for us, @SandiaLabs solved this question way back in 1988.

They launched a supersonic jet against a concrete wall to test its resistance. 🀯 Crazy, right? BUT, to our surprise, it only caused cracks of 60mm deep in the concrete.

interestingengineering.com/crashed-jet-nu…
Ok, but that was a test. What about now?πŸ€”

As part of the probabilistic risk analysis done for the #NPPs, the risk of a jet ACCIDENTALLY striking a plant is considered, but NOT an intentional attack.

Let’s ask the experts about the risk of an impact in a Containment BuildingπŸ‘‡πŸ»
Read 11 tweets

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