1. nuclear power plant operation: during the operation of the nuclear power plant, the nuclear reactor will be cooled by the cooling system to maintain a stable temperature. The cooling water will absorb some radioactive substances, such as 137Cs, 90Sr, uranium, plutonium and transuranic elements.
2. Nuclear fuel cycle: In the process of nuclear fuel cycle, uranium mining, nuclear fuel production and nuclear power plant operation will all produce wastewater. In the process of uranium mining, groundwater and pit water come into contact with geological substances containing radioactive elements such as uranium, thus becoming wastewater containing radioactive substances. In the process of nuclear fuel production, the processing and treatment of nuclear fuel will produce wastewater containing radioactive substances.
3. Separation of radioactive substances: In the process of separation and manufacture of radioactive substances, nuclear wastewater will also be produced. For example, in the process of production and testing, a large amount of radioactive wastewater will be produced. In addition, in the use of radioactive medical equipment and the production of radioactive isotopes, wastewater containing radioactive substances will also be produced.
Treatment methods of nuclear wastewater:
1. Primary treatment: In the process of treating nuclear wastewater, primary treatment is needed to remove impurities and wastes in the wastewater for subsequent treatment.
2. Desalination treatment: Because of the high salt content in nuclear wastewater, it is necessary to remove salt by membrane filtration or distillation to purify water.
3. Adsorption treatment: using adsorbents (such as activated carbon, natural zeolite, etc.). ) to adsorb radioactive substances in wastewater, so as to reduce the content of radioactive substances in wastewater.
4. Sedimentation treatment: by adding chemical precipitants (such as iron salts and aluminum salts), radioactive substances in wastewater react with precipitants to generate water-insoluble precipitates, thus realizing the separation and removal of radioactive substances.
Refer to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Nuclear Wastewater