Collectors have long admired uranium and thorium minerals for their brilliant colors, intense ultraviolet fluorescence, and rich variety of habits and associates. Radioactive minerals are also critically important as our source of nuclear energy. Understanding them is crucial to the safe disposal of radioactive waste. This book provides a systematic overview of the mineralogy of uranium and thorium, generously illustrated with nearly 200 color photos and electron micrographs of representative specimens. Includes an historical discussion of the discovery of radioactive elements and the development of uranium and thorium ore deposits, a discussion of the geochemical conditions that produce significant deposits, and a description of important localities, their geological setting and history. Major occurrences of interest to mineral collectors are arranged geographically. The minerals are arranged systematically, to emphasize how they fit into chemical groups, and for each group a few minerals are selected to illustrate their formation and general characteristics. With the resurgence of interest in nuclear power, this book is an invaluable guide for mineral collectors as well as nuclear scientists and engineers interested in radioactive deposits.

Drawing on the authors’ extensive experience in the processing and disposal of waste, An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation, Second Edition examines the gamut of nuclear waste issues from the natural level of radionuclides in the environment to geological disposal of waste-forms and their long-term behavior. It covers all-important aspects of processing and immobilization, including nuclear decay, regulations, new technologies and methods. Significant focus is given to the analysis of the various matrices used, especially cement and glass, with further discussion of other matrices such as bitumen. The final chapter concentrates on the performance assessment of immobilizing materials and safety of disposal, providing a full range of the resources needed to understand and correctly immobilize nuclear waste. The fully revised second edition focuses on core technologies and has an integrated approach to immobilization and hazards Each chapter focuses on a different matrix used in nuclear waste immobilization: cement, bitumen, glass and new materials Keeps the most important issues surrounding nuclear waste - such as treatment schemes and technologies and disposal - at the forefront

"For students of geology, this book offers a systematic overview of uranium and thorium minerals, which are known for their intense ultraviolet fluorescence and are critically important as our source of nuclear energy. Learn about the geochemical conditions that produce significant ore deposits and view more than 600 maps, structure diagrams, color photos, and electron micrographs. A web link allows readers to view the more than 130 crystal structures in three dimensions for a richer appreciation of their details. The minerals are arranged to emphasize how they fit into chemical groups, and a thorough description is provided for each mineral. Major occurrences of interest to mineral collectors are arranged geographically, with maps showing the important deposits in uranium-producing countries. With the resurgence of interest in nuclear power, this book will be invaluable to mineral collectors and exploration geologists as well as to nuclear scientists and engineers interested in radioactive deposits."]c--Book jacket.

Safety and environmental impact is of uppermost concern when dealing with the movement and storage of nuclear waste. The 20 chapters in 'An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation' cover all important aspects of immobilisation, from nuclear decay, to regulations, to new technologies and methods. Significant focus is given to the analysis of the various matrices used in transport: cement, bitumen and glass, with the greatest attention being given to glass. The last chapter concentrates on the performance assessment of each matrix, and on new developments of ceramics and glass composite materials, thermochemical methods and in-situ metal matrix immobilisation. The book thoroughly covers all issues surrounding nuclear waste: from where to locate nuclear waste in the environment, through nuclear waste generation and sources, treatment schemes and technologies, immobilisation technologies and waste forms, disposal and long term behaviour. Particular attention is paid to internationally approved and worldwide-applied approaches and technologies. * Each chapter focuses on a different matrix used in nuclear waste immobilisation: Cement, bitumen, glass and new materials. * Keeps the most important issues surrounding nuclear waste – such as treatment schemes and technologies, and disposal - at the forefront.