Comparison of Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies

Abstract

The aim of this work is to compare different approaches to nuclear fuel cycle closure from the standpoint of plutonium utilization, fuel type, and reprocessing technology. It is shown that the choice of mixed uraniumplutonium nitride fuel for fast reactors will make it possible to effectively close the NFC and at the same time develope safe nuclear power; the combined (pyrochemical + hydro) technology will make it possible to reprocess any type of high-burnup short-decayed irradiated fuel from fast reactors and to obtain the final uranium-plutonium-neptunium product suitable for use in any fuel production technology.