Australian Technology Aims to Make Storing Radioactive Waste Safer

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Australian Technology Aims to Make Storing Radioactive Waste Safer

ScienceDaily (Nov. 2, 2011) — Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers have developed new technology capable of removing radioactive material from contaminated water and aiding clean-up efforts following nuclear disasters.

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The innovation could also solve the problem of how to clean up millions of tonnes of water contaminated by dangerous radioactive material and safely store the concentrated waste.

Professor Huai-Yong Zhu from QUT Chemistry said the world-first intelligent absorbent, which uses titanate nanofibre and nanotube technology, differed from current clean-up methods, such as layered clays and zeolites, because it could efficiently lock in deadly radioactive material from contaminated water.

The used absorbents can then be safely disposed without the risk of leakage, even if the material became wet.

"One gram of the nanofibres can effectively purify at least one tonne of polluted water," Professor Zhu said.

"This saves large amounts of dangerous water needing to be stored somewhere and also prevents the risk of contaminated products leaking into the soil."

The technology, which was developed in collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and Pennsylvania State University in America, works by running the contaminated water through the fine nanotubes and fibres, which trap the radioactive Cesium (Cs+) ions through a structural change.

"Every year we hear of at least one nuclear accident. Not only is there a risk of contamination where human error is concerned, but there is also a risk from natural disasters such as what we saw in Japan this year," he said.

Professor Zhu and his research team believed the technology would also benefit industries as diverse as mining and medicine.

By adding silver oxide nanocrystals to the outer surface, the nanostructures are able to capture and immobilise radioactive iodine (I-) ions used in treatments for thyroid cancer, in probes and markers for medical diagnosis, as well as found in leaks of nuclear accidents.

"It is our view that just taking the radioactive material in the adsorbents isn't good enough. We should make it safe before disposing it," he said.

"The same goes for Australian sites where we mine nuclear products. We need a solution before we have a problem, rather than looking for fixes when it could be too late."

With a growing need to find alternatives to meet global energy needs, Professor Zhu said now was the time to put safeguards in place.

"In France, 75 per cent of electricity is produced by nuclear power and in Belgium, which has a population of 10 million people there are six nuclear power stations," he said.

"Even if we decide that nuclear energy is not the way we want to go, we will still need to clean-up what's been produced so far and store it safely," he said.

"Australia is one of the largest producers of titania that are the raw materials used for fabricating the absorbents of titanate nanofibres and nanotubes. Now with the knowledge to produce the adsorbents, we have the technology to do the cleaning up for the world."

Traducción

Tecnología de Australia tiene como objetivo hacer de los Residuos Radiactivos un Almacenamiento seguro

ScienceDaily (Nov. 2, 2011) — Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers have developed new technology capable of removing radioactive material from contaminated water and aiding clean-up efforts following nuclear disasters.

ScienceDaily (2 de noviembre de 2011) - Universidad Tecnológica de Queensland (QUT) los investigadores han desarrollado una nueva tecnología capaz de eliminar el material radiactivo del agua contaminada y ayudar a los esfuerzos de limpieza después de un desastre nuclear.

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The innovation could also solve the problem of how to clean up millions of tonnes of water contaminated by dangerous radioactive material and safely store the concentrated waste.La innovación también podría resolver el problema de cómo limpiar los millones de toneladas de agua contaminada con materiales radiactivos peligrosos y almacenar de manera segura los desechos concentrados.

Professor Huai-Yong Zhu from QUT Chemistry said the world-first intelligent absorbent, which uses titanate nanofibre and nanotube technology, differed from current clean-up methods, such as layered clays and zeolites, because it could efficiently lock in deadly radioactive material from contaminated water.El profesor Zhu Huai Yong-QUT de Química, dijo el absorbente inteligente primicia mundial, que utiliza titanato de nanofibras y nanotubos de tecnología, diferían de los actuales métodos de limpieza, tales como arcillas y las zeolitas en capas, ya que podría bloquear de manera eficiente de materiales radiactivos mortales de contaminación el agua.

The used absorbents can then be safely disposed without the risk of leakage, even if the material became wet.Los absorbentes utilizados pueden ser eliminados con seguridad sin el riesgo de fuga, aunque el material se haya mojado.

"One gram of the nanofibres can effectively purify at least one tonne of polluted water," Professor Zhu said."Un gramo de las nanofibras de manera efectiva puede purificar por lo menos una tonelada de agua contaminada", dijo el profesor Zhu.

"This saves large amounts of dangerous water needing to be stored somewhere and also prevents the risk of contaminated products leaking into the soil.""Esto ahorra grandes cantidades de agua peligrosos que necesitan ser almacenados en algún lugar y también evita el riesgo de productos contaminados con fugas en el suelo."

The technology, which was developed in collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and Pennsylvania State University in America, works by running the contaminated water through the fine nanotubes and fibres, which trap the radioactive Cesium (Cs+) ions through a structural change.La tecnología, que se desarrolló en colaboración con la Organización Australiana de Ciencia y Tecnología Nucleares de la Organización (ANSTO) y la Universidad Estatal de Pennsylvania en los Estados Unidos, funciona ejecutando el agua contaminada a través de los nanotubos de multa y las fibras, que atrapan el cesio radiactivo (Cs +) los iones a través de un el cambio estructural.

"Every year we hear of at least one nuclear accident. Not only is there a risk of contamination where human error is concerned, but there is also a risk from natural disasters such as what we saw in Japan this year," he said."Cada año se habla de al menos un accidente nuclear. No sólo hay un riesgo de contaminación, donde el error humano se refiere, pero también hay un riesgo de desastres naturales, como lo que vimos en Japón este año", dijo.

Professor Zhu and his research team believed the technology would also benefit industries as diverse as mining and medicine.Profesor Zhu y su equipo de investigación cree que la tecnología también beneficiará a las industrias tan diversas como la minería y la medicina.

By adding silver oxide nanocrystals to the outer surface, the nanostructures are able to capture and immobilise radioactive iodine (I-) ions used in treatments for thyroid cancer, in probes and markers for medical diagnosis, as well as found in leaks of nuclear accidents.Mediante la adición de nanocristales de óxido de plata a la superficie exterior, las nanoestructuras son capaces de capturar e inmovilizar yodo radiactivo (I-) iones utilizados en los tratamientos para el cáncer de tiroides, en las sondas y marcadores para el diagnóstico médico, así como en las fugas de los accidentes nucleares.

"It is our view that just taking the radioactive material in the adsorbents isn't good enough. We should make it safe before disposing it," he said."Es nuestra opinión que acaba de tomar el material radiactivo en los adsorbentes no es suficiente. Tenemos que dejar a salvo antes de deshacerse él", dijo.

"The same goes for Australian sites where we mine nuclear products. We need a solution before we have a problem, rather than looking for fixes when it could be too late.""Lo mismo ocurre con los sitios de Australia, donde las minas de productos nucleares. Necesitamos una solución antes de que tengamos un problema, en vez de buscar soluciones cuando se puede ser demasiado tarde."

With a growing need to find alternatives to meet global energy needs, Professor Zhu said now was the time to put safeguards in place.Con una creciente necesidad de encontrar alternativas para satisfacer las necesidades mundiales de energía, el profesor Zhu dijo que ahora era el momento de establecer salvaguardias.

"In France, 75 per cent of electricity is produced by nuclear power and in Belgium, which has a population of 10 million people there are six nuclear power stations," he said."En Francia, el 75 por ciento de la electricidad es producida por la energía nuclear y en Bélgica, que tiene una población de 10 millones de personas que hay seis centrales nucleares", dijo.

"Even if we decide that nuclear energy is not the way we want to go, we will still need to clean-up what's been produced so far and store it safely," he said."Incluso si se decide que la energía nuclear no es la forma en que quiere ir, que todavía tendrá que limpiar lo que se ha producido hasta el momento y almacenarlo de forma segura", dijo.

"Australia is one of the largest producers of titania that are the raw materials used for fabricating the absorbents of titanate nanofibres and nanotubes. Now with the knowledge to produce the adsorbents, we have the technology to do the cleaning up for the world.""Australia es uno de los mayores productores de dióxido de titanio que son las materias primas utilizadas para la fabricación de los absorbentes de nanofibras y nanotubos de titanato. Ahora, con el conocimiento para producir los adsorbentes, tenemos la tecnología para hacer la limpieza para el mundo".

ANÁLISIS

Indiscutiblemente la tecnología está jugando un papel muy importante en Australia para mejorar su medio ambiente y luchar contra los problemas que actualmente están viviendo; al ser este país uno de los mayores productores de materias primas utilizadas para fabricar material redioactivo, posee también la responsabilidad de solucionar un factor tan clave que afecta directamente el medio que los rodea. De esta manera resulta sumamente interesante el objetivo que tiene en este momento la tecnología australiana y podría llegar a convertirse en una verdadera innovación para el desarrollo de una gestión ambiental.

De este modo podríamos relacionar este avance tecnológico directamente con el Desarrollo Sostenible, pues al existir tal solución frente a una problemática tan marcante en el medio ambiente lograríamos garantizar un mundo mucho más saludable para vivir tanto para las generaciones existentes como para las futuras.

NINI JOHANNA VÁSQUEZ CORTÉS

LUZ MELIDA CRUZ BERNAL

DIANA SOFÍA GAMBOA MALAGÓN