The current status of active tests at Rokkasho reprocessing plant and the preparation for MOX fuel fabrication plant

The Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) has adopted the Purex Process and has been designed and constructed using French technology for the main process, British technology for the decompressed evaporator, and Japanese technology for others. At present active test operation is being performed. At RRP test operation has been implemented in 3 stages: Water test, Chemical Test, Uranium Test. Active Test, which marks the final stage of test operation has been in progress since 31 March 2006. Active test is divided into 5 steps and tests have started by using low burn-up and long cooled spent fuel which contains relatively low plutonium and fission products. Then, spent fuel with high burn-up and short cooling period will be used gradually. Step 1 and Step 2 are already completed. Preliminary results confirm that both PWR and BWR spent fuels can be treated without problem. On the other hand, on 20 April 2005, JNFL (Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited) submitted the license application on the new MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant to the Japanese Government and its examination by the regulatory authorities is under way