This book lays a comprehensive foundation for addressing the issue of safety in the lifecycle of nuclear waste. With the focus on the fundamental principles, the book covers key technical approaches to safety in the management of spent nuclear fuel, reprocessed high-level waste, low-level waste, and decommissioning wastes. Behaviors of nuclear waste in natural and engineered systems in relation to safety assessment are also described through the explanation of fundamental processes. For any country involved with the use of nuclear power, nuclear waste management is a topic of grave importance. Although many countries have heavily invested in nuclear waste management, having a successful national program still remains a major challenge. This book offers substantial guidance for those seeking solutions to these problems. As the problem of nuclear waste management is heavily influenced by social factors, the connection between technical and social issues in nuclear waste management is also discussed. The book is a core text for advanced students in nuclear and environmental engineering, and a valuable reference for those working in nuclear engineering and related areas.

About the Author:

Man-Sung Yim is Professor of the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Associate Vice President of the International Office, Head of Office of Global Initiatives, and Director of Nuclear Nonproliferation Education and Research Center (NEREC) at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Formerly, he worked at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and taught at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and MIT. He was also a joint faculty between Oak Ridge National Lab (Global Nuclear Security Technology Division) and NCSU, Sam Nunn International Security Fellow at Georgia Tech, a member of North Carolina Science Advisory Board on Air Toxics Emissions, and a member of Nuclear Nonproliferation External Steering Committee of Idaho National Laboratory in the U.S. He is currently a member of Korean National Academy of Engineering, the Scientific Program Committee of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), International Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (U.A.E.), and Global Forum Council of Advisors on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy of OECD/NEA. He serves as Associate Editor (Asia) of Nuclear Technology for American Nuclear Society, and a member of Editorial Advisory Board of Progress in Nuclear Energy and International Journal of Nuclear Security.

Professor Yim's work aims at safe and responsible use of nuclear energy with the activities covering nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear waste management, nuclear safety, nuclear nonproliferation, and energy policy. Professor Yim studied at Seoul National University (BS/MS, nuclear engineering), University of Cincinnati (PhD, nuclear engineering), and Harvard University (SM/ScD, environmental health science).