Spent fuel

Nuclear Energy

Fuel removed from a reactor after irradiation.

Spent (used) nuclear fuel is highly radioactive and thermally hot. It is cooled in pools, then often placed in dry storage pending recycling or disposal.

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Articles

Interim Storage

Spent fuel is first stored in water pools near the reactor to be cooled. Then it is moved to dry interim storage, located usually on-site.

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Glossary

Radioactive waste

Material with unwanted radionuclides.