Review of United States program in LMFBR fuel reprocessing

The overall objective of the LMFBR program is to develop a broad technological and engineering base for a competitive commercial breeder industry as a means for meeting national energy needs in the 1990s and beyond. The review briefly considers the different aspects (industrial capability, public acceptance etc.) that have to be taken into consideration in connection with this. The work required to accomplish the LMFBR program has been divided into seven technology areas (components, materials, physics, chemistry, safety, fuels and fuel recycle) comprising the LMFBR Base Program, and a closely related Project part covering design, construction and operation of major reactor facilities for the LMFBR program. The LMFBR fuel reprocessing developmental plan, as a support effort in the Base Program, is considered more in detail. The objective of this plan is to develop and demonstrate reprocessing systems that accommodate all candidate fuels and allow for the rapid fuel recovery and turnaround times necessary to ensure doubling times of 10 to 15 years