Problems of development of fast reactors self-fuel-provision without fuel reprocessing

Conceptual options for fast reactors operation with conditions of fuel self-provision without subsequent chemical waste reprocessing are considered. It is shown that such a regime can be realized for a number of dense fuels, supposed the feasibility of deep fuel burnups. Requirements for the burnup depth are appreciably mitigated when hardening a neutron spectrum or at a low enrichment feeding. The use of such fast reactors with low-enriched fuel feeding is equal to both solution of the problems on significant improvements of the conventional reactors fuel balance (PWR) and putting into practice the industrial reprocessing of irradiated fuel. The design of fast reactors of the mentioned type is stated to make it possible to obtain time reserves and means for developing an economical reprocessing of fuel or even to quit with it totally. (orig.)