Economics of PWR spent fuel recovery

The results are presented of an analysis of the economics of spent PWR fuel recovery. The plutonium indifference value, the associated breakeven reprocessing cost and overall fuel cycle costs were estimated as functions of the price of U3O8, the price of uranium enrichment, and the increased cost of fabricating mixed oxide fuel assemblies (relative to UO2 fabrication). The impacts of spent fuel storage costs on fuel cycle costs and breakeven reprocessing costs were also investigated. Plutonium ''indifference'' values were calculated in the traditional manner; i.e., they represent the values at which the reactor operator is indifferent either to recovery and reuse of the plutonium (and uranium) or to recovery and sale of the uranium and plutonium. The ''breakeven'' reprocessing cost represents the price that the reactor operator could afford to pay for reprocessing and waste management (combined) such that his total fuel cycle cost is the same with or without fuel recovery