Nuclear Fuel Recycling

As outlined earlier, a large proportion of spent uranium fuel is potentially reusable. The vast majority is still uranium which, although reduced in fissile content, contains residual enrichment and can be recycled. Plutonium can also be recovered for use in MOX or other fuels. In addition, recycling of used fuel may reduce waste volumes for disposal and/or allow removal of high hazard radionuclides for separate treatment. Separation of used fuel on an industrial scale is, however, a complex and challenging technology.