Evaluation of fuel cycle options for plutonium utilization: 1975 study. Final report

Five options for the nuclear fuel cycle were evaluated, ranging from direct disposal (throwaway) concept to the use of plutonium in light water and breeder reactors. The evaluation included: comparison of the cost of each option to the United States and to consumers; determination of the impacts of the options on the consumption of natural uranium and the demand for mining, milling, and enrichment; and determination of the technical feasibility and practicality of each option. The criteria used for evaluating the options were limited to: annual cost of electricity to the consumer in 1975 dollars; present value (discounted) cost of electricity to the consumer in 1975 dollars; demand for enrichment capacity; demand and cumulative consumption of natural uranium; and requirements for fuel cycle capacity. The study was based upon the 1975 ERDA moderate low prediction of nuclear capacity growth which predicted a level of 800 GWe in the year 2000