Development of reprocessing techniques for spent fuel in Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation

The reprocessing of spent fuel is the vital point of nuclear fuel cycle. The Tokai reprocessing plant of the PNC fabricates again the plutonium and uranium obtained by reprocessing and supplies a part of the fuel charged into the FBR ''Joyo'' and the ATR ''Fugen'', and it is very significant to achieve a role to close the nuclear fuel cycle in this way. Now the average burnup of spent fuel is rising, and the Tokai reprocessing plant is one of only two facilities in the world where the practical scale verifying operation of LWR fuel can be carried out, together with the La Hague plant in France. The verification of the reduction of radioactivity emitted into environment, the establishment of hot maintenance and remote repair techniques and so on were achieved, thus the Tokai reprocessing plant has accumulated much experience, contributed to the establishment of Japanese reprocessing techniques and promoted the technical development aiming at the safe operation. The reprocessing techniques were imported from SGN in France, and the policy of the plant design and the reprocessing processes adopted are explained. The Tokai plant accepted 255 t of fuel, processed 174 t, and recovered more than 1 t of plutonium. The experience of troubles and repair and the plan of technical development hereafter are reported. (Kako, I.)