The development of future options for aqueous recycling of spent nuclear fuels

Abstract

Since 2017, the UK Government has invested in research and technology development of advanced nuclear technologies including options for the future recycling of spent nuclear fuels. Whilst the UK has previously reprocessed and recycled uranium and plutonium from spent fuels, industrial scale reprocessing has finished and future fuels are being stored ready for disposal in a deep geological repository around the end of the century (i.e.transition to the open fuel cycle). Nevertheless, it is possible that an expansion of the use of nuclear energy to help meet Net Zero carbon emission targets and changing public perceptions or geopolitical situations over this period may necessitate a return to some form of closed fuel cycle. Consequently, the Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme (AFCP) has been developing advanced recycling options using both aqueous and pyro-chemical methods that would reduce wastes, costs and environmental impacts but with enhanced flexibility and barriers against nuclear proliferation risks. As well as technology development, AFCP has developed approaches for evaluating the benefits and disbenefits of future fuel cycle options under the framework of sustainability. This article provides an overview of the progress made under AFCP on the aqueous recycling of spent fuels, including the management of secondary wastes arising from the reprocessing schemes.