Multi-recycling of spent nuclear fuel from light water reactors (LWR)

Today, Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, manufactured from plutonium and depleted uranium, provides about 5% of the new nuclear fuel used in world, with an even higher proportion in Europe. Spent MOX fuel is several times more radioactive than spent uranium oxide fuel. An alternative approach for multi-recycling of LWR nuclear fuel and closing the MOX fuel cycle would decrease radiotoxicity and the volume of the radioactive waste resulting from spent MOX fuel and improve security of supply.

Management and recycling of spent MOX LWR fuel should be addressed in a coherent analysis of the fuel cycle covering all the LWR and the new spent fuel streams, and in particular by addressing the different potential alternative technologies for the recycling of those fuels, including advanced reactor systems.

Proposed research should advance state-of-the art design and manufacturing of fuel cycles based on spent MOX fuel valorisation, focusing on the development of a strategy f