Spent fuel management strategy in the United Kingdom

The spent fuel management strategy for commercial reactors, Magnox and AGR, in the United Kingdom is summarized. The reasons for following a reprocessing strategy for spent fuel from each reactor type are discussed, and also the rationale for the UK Generating Boards' proposal to build an AGR dry buffer store. Current developments in reprocessing facilities are described, notably waste treatment plants at the British Nuclear Fuels' Sellafield site. By the 1990s this investment programme will be complete, discharges to the sea will be near zero and solid waste will be converted to a more stable form, easier for long term storage. Also in the 1990s an integrated uranium recycling service will be established in the UK. (author). 1 fig