HLW (high level waste):
Generally the highly radioactive material resulting from reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. This includes mainly the liquid wastes remaining from the recovery of uranium and plutonium in a fuel reprocessing plant. This HLW may also be in the form of sludge, calcine, or other products into which such liquid wastes are converted to facilitate their handling and storage. Such waste contains fission products and traces of TRUs that result in the release of considerable decay energy. For this reason, heavy shielding is required to absorb penetrating radiation, and cooling systems are needed to dissipate decay heat from HLW. Currently, no HLW exists on the Oak Ridge Reservation.
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