Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Author: Mary Beth Nikitin
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2009
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1437923232

Contents: (1) Introduction; (2) Renewed Interest in Nuclear Power Expansion: (a) Worldwide Nuclear Power Status; (b) Nuclear Fuel Services Market: Yellowcake; Conversion; Enrichment; Fuel Fabrication; (c) Final Stages of the Fuel Cycle; (d) Waste Disposal and Energy Security; (3) Proposals on the Fuel Cycle: Pres. Bush¿s '04 Proposal; Discussions in the Nuclear Suppliers Group; El Baradei Proposal; IAEA Experts Group/INFCIRC/640; Putin Initiative; Six Country Concept; IAEA Fuel Bank; Congress. Support; World Nuclear Assoc.; IAEA Standby Arrange. System; Multilateral Enrichment Sanctuary Project; Enrichment Bonds; Global Nuclear Energy Partnership; (4) Comparison of Proposals; (5) Prospects for Implementing Fuel Assurance Mechanisms.

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Science and Engineering

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Science and Engineering
Author: Ian Crossland
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 649
Release: 2012-09-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0857096389

The nuclear fuel cycle is characterised by the wide range of scientific disciplines and technologies it employs. The development of ever more integrated processes across the many stages of the nuclear fuel cycle therefore confronts plant manufacturers and operators with formidable challenges. Nuclear fuel cycle science and engineering describes both the key features of the complete nuclear fuel cycle and the wealth of recent research in this important field. Part one provides an introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle. Radiological protection, security and public acceptance of nuclear technology are considered, along with the economics of nuclear power. Part two goes on to explore materials mining, enrichment, fuel element design and fabrication for the uranium and thorium nuclear fuel cycle. The impact of nuclear reactor design and operation on fuel element irradiation is the focus of part three, including water and gas-cooled reactors, along with CANDU and Generation IV designs. Finally, part four reviews spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Nuclear fuel cycle science and engineering provides an important review for all those involved in the design, fabrication, use and disposal of nuclear fuels as well as regulatory bodies and researchers in this field. Provides a comprehensive and holistic review of the complete nuclear fuel cycle Reviews the issues presented by the nuclear fuel cycle, including radiological protection and security, public acceptance and economic analysis Discusses issues at the front-end of the fuel cycle, including uranium and thorium mining, enrichment and fuel design and fabrication

Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Author: Mary Beth Dunham Nikitin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2007
Genre: Nuclear energy
ISBN:

After several decades of decline and disfavor, nuclear power is attracting renewed interest. New permit applications for 30 reactors have been filed in the United States, and another 150 are planned or proposed globally, with about a dozen more already under construction. In the United States, interest appears driven, in part, by provisions in the 2005 Energy Policy Act authorizing streamlined licensing that combine construction and operating permits, and tax credits for production from advanced nuclear power facilities. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Energy proposes to spend billions of dollars to develop the next generation of nuclear power technology. Expanding global access to nuclear power, nevertheless, has the potential to lead to the spread of sensitive nuclear technology. Despite 30 years of effort to limit access to uranium enrichment, several undeterred states pursued clandestine nuclear programs; the A.Q. Khan black market network's sales to Iran and North Korea representing the most egregious examples. Concern over the spread of enrichment and reprocessing technologies, combined with a growing consensus that the world must seek alternatives to dwindling and polluting fossil fuels, may be giving way to optimism that advanced nuclear technologies may offer proliferation resistance. Proposals offering countries access to nuclear power and thus the fuel cycle have ranged from a formal commitment by these countries to forswear enrichment and reprocessing technology, to a de facto approach in which a state does not operate fuel cycle facilities but makes no explicit commitment, to no restrictions at all. The most recent proposal under the U.S. Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) represents a shift in U.S. policy by not requiring participants to forgo domestic fuel cycle programs. Whether developing states will find existing proposals attractive enough to forgo what they see as their "inalienable" right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes remains to be seen. Congress will have a considerable role in at least four areas of oversight related to fuel cycle proposals. The first is providing funding and oversight of U.S. domestic programs related to expanding nuclear energy in the United States. The second area is policy direction and/or funding for international measures to assure supply. A third set of policy issues may arise in the context of implementing the international component of GNEP. A fourth area in which Congress plays a key role is in the approval of nuclear cooperation agreements. The 110th Congress has introduced several bills related to nuclear energy in the United States and fuel cycle assurances, including H.R. 885, S. 1977, S. 1700, S. 1138, S. 970, and S. 328 (Section 336). This report will be updated as events warrant.

The Future of Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The Future of Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 237
Release: 2011
Genre: Energy policy
ISBN: 9780982800843

"In this analysis we have presented a method that provides insight into future fuel cycle alternatives by clarifying the complexity of choosing an appropriate fuel cycle in the context of the distribution of burdens and benefits between generations. The current nuclear power deployment practices, together with three future fuel cycles were assessed."--Page 227.

Advanced Separation Techniques for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Radioactive Waste Treatment

Advanced Separation Techniques for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Radioactive Waste Treatment
Author: Kenneth L Nash
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 513
Release: 2011-03-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0857092278

Advanced separations technology is key to closing the nuclear fuel cycle and relieving future generations from the burden of radioactive waste produced by the nuclear power industry. Nuclear fuel reprocessing techniques not only allow for recycling of useful fuel components for further power generation, but by also separating out the actinides, lanthanides and other fission products produced by the nuclear reaction, the residual radioactive waste can be minimised. Indeed, the future of the industry relies on the advancement of separation and transmutation technology to ensure environmental protection, criticality-safety and non-proliferation (i.e., security) of radioactive materials by reducing their long-term radiological hazard. Advanced separation techniques for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment provides a comprehensive and timely reference on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment. Part one covers the fundamental chemistry, engineering and safety of radioactive materials separations processes in the nuclear fuel cycle, including coverage of advanced aqueous separations engineering, as well as on-line monitoring for process control and safeguards technology. Part two critically reviews the development and application of separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment. The section includes discussions of advanced PUREX processes, the UREX+ concept, fission product separations, and combined systems for simultaneous radionuclide extraction. Part three details emerging and innovative treatment techniques, initially reviewing pyrochemical processes and engineering, highly selective compounds for solvent extraction, and developments in partitioning and transmutation processes that aim to close the nuclear fuel cycle. The book concludes with other advanced techniques such as solid phase extraction, supercritical fluid and ionic liquid extraction, and biological treatment processes. With its distinguished international team of contributors, Advanced separation techniques for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment is a standard reference for all nuclear waste management and nuclear safety professionals, radiochemists, academics and researchers in this field. A comprehensive and timely reference on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment Details emerging and innovative treatment techniques, reviewing pyrochemical processes and engineering, as well as highly selective compounds for solvent extraction Discusses the development and application of separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment

Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Author: United States. Energy Research and Development Administration. Fuel Cycle Task Force
Publisher:
Total Pages: 116
Release: 1975
Genre: Nuclear fuels
ISBN: