French R&D Program for Multi-Recycling of Plutonium

One of the main issues regarding the future of nuclear energy is to improve its sustainability, in particular through better preservation of uranium resources by increasing the efficiency of its consumption in nuclear reactors. This implies first developing and implementing Fast neutron Reactors (FR), such as the French ASTRID Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) project. This also implies implementing multi-recycling of plutonium, which would significantly limit the ultimate waste volume. Based on past experience with hydrometallurgical treatment of spent fast reactor fuel, the CEA has developed an ambitious R&D program to adapt the current PUREX process — for which more than 30 years of experience is available — to the specific requirements of spent FR fuels. Innovations are expected for most of the aspects of the process, in particular for treating the fuel assembly, ensuring safe recovery of plutonium and the reliable confinement of the waste. The main scientific challenges for ensuring safe and reliable multi-recycling of plutonium are reviewed. (author)