Characterization and Inventories of Nuclear Materials and Wastes for Possible Future Energy Scenarios

Awareness of the total materials inventory and materials balance associated with differing methods for energy generation is part of present-day concerns associated with disparate areas that include atmospheric emissions, resource utilization, health effects, and both current and long-term hazards and risks. Nuclear energy, for a number of decades, has been the recipient of significant scrutiny concerning the materials and wastes it generates, particularly in the context of long-term solutions to such issues. This paper examines the nuclear materials and waste generation for nuclear energy scenarios spanning the coming century. The paper also briefly addresses wastes (in the form of emissions) from other energy sources and examines requirements associated with back-end energy system materials management. Possible future requirements pertaining to CO₂ management are found to place conditions upon waste management generally similar to those for nuclear waste. One example of material flows for the case of coal generation of electricity coupled with carbon sequestration is also given.