Current Status on Reprocessing Technology of Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Technology Development (FaCT) Project in Japan.

Abstract

Japan Atomic Energy Agency launched the "Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Technology Development (FaCT)" Project in cooperation with the Japanese electric utilities in 2006. In the FaCT project, the decision about innovative technologies would be made by 2010, and the conceptual design of demonstration and/or commercial facilities based on the results of research and development of innovative technologies by 2015, which would be possible to achieve the development target (Safety and Reliability, Sustainability Economic Competitiveness and Nuclear Non-proliferation). Pertaining to reprocessing technologies, the advanced aqueous reprocessing system (NEXT: New Extraction System for TRU Recovery) was selected as the most promising concept for commercialization. The NEXT process is composed of several processes and technologies, and six issues have been identified as the innovative technologies to be developed.Currently, the development of these issues has been conducted toward 2010. In addition, it is very important to consider the transition from LWR cycle to FBR cycle, because the FBR will be deployed by replacing LWR with FBR from around 2050. In Japan, the discussion of the next reprocessing plant will be started from around 2010. So, the preliminary study and examination for transition is conducted in cooperation with the related parties in Japan.