Present status and prospects for reprocessing

This paper focuses on results obtained by the French program for reprocessing of light water reactor fuels. Production and safety aspects will be discussed, along with the lessons learned from the industrial operation of the La Hague reprocessing plant. The experience acquired at La Hague will be underscored in light of ongoing construction, which will bring the plant's reprocessing capacity for LWR fuels to 1600 metric tonnes by early 1990. The economic aspects of the back end of the cycle will be highlighted, with special emphasis on the recycling of plutonium in the light water reactors