Different possible scenarios for plutonium recycling in PWRs

Stabilisation of the Pu inventory in the electronuclear fleet (cycle reactors and facilities) is achieved through multi-recycling which can be carried out in current PWR through rod design or standard assembly composition modifications. The aim of this paper is to present the range of technical solutions which may be envisioned in current PWRs from a strictly physical point of view. It aims to give a preview of scientific feasibility of the various options bearing in mind that technological feasibility and, to an even greater extent, economic assessment would be premature at this moment and that industrialists would be responsible for this. Currently once through cycling of Plutonium is carried out in pressurised water reactors (PWR) in a MOX assembly partially loaded core. These current reactors (900 MW), initially licensed to use Uranium enriched UOX fuel, were therefore slightly adapted to accept plutonium. For a more efficient and less limiting use of plutonium in a PWR several fuel concepts are currently being examined. The objective of these innovative fuel concepts is to facilitate core management in a Pu multi-recycling strategy, to increase fuel burn up performances, keeping safety margins which has to be the same of to current UOX fuel loaded PWR reactors. (author)