Improvements in LWR fuel utilization

Many different means of improving fuel utilization in BWRs and PWRs have been proposed and evaluated with respect to potential uranium savings, potential cost savings, effect on and relationship to the different parts of the external fuel cycle (separative work, fabrication, spent fuel generation, storage, shipment, and reprocessing), safety and licensing aspects, utility acceptability, development requirements, and time scale for implementation. Described here are the results of these assessments, together with the goals and results to date of development programmes under way to achieve the improvements. The programmes focus on extended burnup as the largest single near-term method of improving fuel utilization. The technical issues being resolved for burnup extension are described. Burnups achieved with lead assemblies in power reactors are tabulated. A gradual increase in burnup is beginning to be implemented in power reactors in the United States of America, and many additional utilities are now seriously planning to extend burnup in their plants. The principal issues facing utilities in such implementation are discussed. (author)