Fuel reprocessing, a unique opportunity to maximize the availability of transuranics

System studies completed in the early Sixties are reviewed so as to provide a ''start'' for enhancing both incidental and purposeful production of the transuranics by adjusting the fuel cycle, especially fuel exposure, and by avoiding isotopic dilution of recycled uranium and plutonium streams. In addition, production could be increased by appropriately ''managing'' irradiation of intermediaries that include two or more isotopes of the same element. Attention is also directed towards ''indifference'' pricing philosophies to result in a stable enterprise even though a sequence of processing and irradiation involving different fiscal enterprises were involved. The ''indifference'' pricing system avoids both losses and windfalls to the participants. Examination also indicates that a significant reduction could result in the costs of electrical power if a substantial market develops in decay isotopes. The diversion of neutrons from production of fissile fuel to special isotopes appears relatively minor since the major neutron investments are now being made in these isotopes as neutron parasites. Moreover, in view of the long-term development of the breeder and the possible near saturation of the demands for energy, an excess of neutrons will be available beyond the needs to breed fissile fuel. Thus, decay isotopes can be bred and ''conversion ratios'' for such isotopes are developed. In addition, the technological approaches and pricing methodologies reviewed here can be applied for the extra long-term view involving the production of additional transuranic isotopes from thorium irradiation, both thorium-232 and thorium-230 (Ionium)