ABSTRACT
Nomenclature ........................................................................................................................................................................... 875 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................................... 875
References ................................................................................................................................................................................ 876
The fuel cycle, from mining of uranium and preparing the fuel elements for nuclear rectors, through the fuel use for generation of electricity, to management of burnt fuel and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, produces different types of radioactive waste. Radioactive waste is also generated during production and application of radioisotopes, as well as during processing of raw materials containing naturally occurring radioactive isotopes. All those wastes have to be processed and conditioned before safe storage or disposal to protect the human health and natural environment. The management of radioactive waste has to be reached with reasonable cost by implementing appropriate technologies. The treatment requirements depend on the radioactivity level, and chemical and physical properties of the waste streams. Number of methods can be used to treat aqueous
and as well as less-developed solvent extraction, biotechnological processes, and membrane methods. Although membrane processes are still considered as novel technologies in this field, many applications in nuclear centers and laboratories around the world are reported. The chapter deals with some of these applications and research aiming in implementation of membrane techniques in nuclear industry.
