Study of potential nuclear fuel cycles and their resulting high-level waste in Belgium

The progress of a study on the evaluation of the potential development of nuclear power production in Belgium during the first quarter of the next century is given. The objectives of this study are (1) to forecast the evolution of nuclear power production in Belgium during the next few decades on the basis of demands, enhanced material recycling, and technological developments, (2) to forecast the base-materials flows and reprocessing capacities, required to maintain nuclear power production at the levels resulting from different scenarios, and (3) to evaluate the potential effects of enhanced materials recycling, higher fuel burnups and new technological developments on the quantities of long-lived waste. The scientific programme, objectives, achievements in this research area at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN are summarized