Recycling of uranium from spent RBMK fuel in the nuclear fuel cycle

Abstract

It is shown that there is promise in using the uranium product obtained by reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from RBMK reactors as a non-initial fuel source for thermal reactors. A technical path for spent nuclear fuel from RBMK reactors is proposed: radiochemical reprocessing and obtaining oxides of recycled uranium. Oxides of the category RBMK-poor are packed and then stored in a near-surface storage facility; oxides of the category RBMK-rich are fluoridated, and UF6 is fed into separation production for additional enrichment to the required content of 235U. Additional advantages of recycled RBMK uranium as a source of non-initial 235U are the low content of 232U and the relatively low activity of spent fuel, which simplifies its reprocessing.