Electrochemistry reduces waste burden of irradiated nuclear graphite

An image showin a typical graphite brick from a Magnox reactor

Source: © Abbie Jones

Radioactive contaminants removed from moderator material using electrolysis in high-temperature molten salt media

Researchers in the UK have devised a process that uses electricity to remove radioactive contaminants from irradiated nuclear graphite. The process could reduce the volume of waste from nuclear power plants that requires expensive and long-term storage.