Fuel cycle

The present CANDU fuel cycle is based on once-through natural uranium fuelling. Canadian uranium reserves will be more than adequate until the end of the century. Work is being carried out on advanced fuel cycles with two objectives: to provide a CANDU system capable of meeting energy needs safely, cleanly, at acceptable cost, and from available resources; and to provide utilities with the necessary assurance that long-term fuel supplies will be available when needed. The self-sufficient thorium-U233 cycle would require no continuing uranium supply. A successful demonstration of this cycle would put a ceiling on energy costs at a level no more than 25 % above present ones. The thorium cycle is no more complex than that for fast reactors. Technology required for the three components of the thorium cycle (fuel reprocessing, active fuel fabrication, and waste management) is already available. The development program should be roughly equivalent to the cost of one year's uranium consumption at the end of the century. (L.L.)