The nuclear fuel cycle for research and power reactors

Estimation of the nuclear fuel supply, management and reprocessing alternatives in power and research reactors and the practical realization of the adopted concepts are the important tasks in the nuclear power programme. This is particularly true for developing countries, which buy their first reactors and nuclear fuel and thus have an open fuel cycle. The paper deals with the basic nuclear fuel cycle problems to be solved by a developing country. In particular, the benefits from the experience with research reactors and the role of the international co-operation through the IAEA are stressed. (author)