The technological impacts of partitioning-transmutation on the nuclear fuel cycle

This paper defines and discusses the potential technological impacts of partitioning-transmutation on the nuclear fuel cycle, excluding the impacts on the physics of the transmutation reactor and the reprocessing and refabrication plant flowsheets. Potential negative fuel cycle impacts which presently appear to be important include the increase in routine fuel cycle effluents, increased biological neutron shielding requirements, increased economic cost, and the uncertain disposition of current and near-term spent reactor fuels. The magnitude of many of these impacts is not presently quantifiable because of a lack of research in these areas. Potential positive fuel cycle impacts include a reduction in the long-term toxicity of radioactive wastes and the possibility that the highly neutron-active recycled actinide might be used to 'spike' strategic nuclear materials. Based on an analysis of existing studies related to the fuel cycle impacts of partitioning-transmutation, it is clear that (1) the fuel cycle impacts and the reactor physics aspects of partitioning-transmutation would be heavily interdependent, and (2) that considerable work is required to adequately define the potential fuel cycle impacts of partitioning-transmutation