nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor to the point where it is no longer useful in sustaining a nuclear reaction
Radioactive waste is simply spent fuel.
Examples of 'spent fuel' in a sentence
spent fuel
Spent fuel bundles are just one piece of fallout from the nuclear fuel cycle.
canada.com (2011)
Spent fuel remains radioactive for tens of thousands of years.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Reprocessing spent fuel and decommissioning old nuclear reactors are by definition end processes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This waste is a very small percentage of the reprocessed spent fuel.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The advocates of nuclear energy are calling for speedier plant-licensing procedures, a resolution of the waste-storage problem, and government support for reprocessing spent fuel.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The company is still fighting to stop meltdowns and leakages of spent fuel at four reactors as it monitors contamination levels in the area.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
These designs can actually use spent fuel from existing reactors and also depleted uranium, of which there are stockpiles sufficient for centuries of use.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Each reactor will produce about 20 tonnes of highly radioactive spent fuel per year, which will remain lethal for up to 100,000 years.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Some were drenched in water from the spent fuel tanks, which contain highly radioactive material.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The pond resembles a large swimming pool, containing spent fuel submerged under 10m of water.