Introduction

11.60. Prior to 1976, it was generally assumed that spent fuel would be reprocessed for the recovery of uranium and plutonium for reuse as reactor fuel. It was felt that economic supplies of uranium were limited relative to future needs for the then-projected growth of the nuclear power industry. Also, planned fast reactors would require recovered plutonium for fuel.

11.61. In 1976, public concerns that the availability of chemically pure plutonium would encourage the proliferation of nuclear weapons led to a ban on reprocessing. Although the ban was lifted in 1980, reprocessing was no longer commercially attractive, for several reasons. First, processing plant operating costs had increased significantly. Next, many new nuclear power plants were canceled, depressing the price of uranium. Since new uranium reserves were also identified, the future salvage value of recycled fuel seemed uncertain, thus reducing the economic incentive for repro­cessing. In addition, there was no need for significant fast reactor fuel since a U. S. demonstration plant at Clinch River, Tennessee was canceled and there were no plans for other plants. However, without the need for a significant level of commercial justification, fuel reprocessing continues to be carried out routinely in other countries. One incentive for such oper­ations is the reduction in the volume of high-level radioactive waste that requires management (§11.63).

11.62. It appears likely that around the beginning of the next century, the combination of increased worldwide energy requirements, diminishing oil and gas supplies, and environmental concerns will lead to pressure to increase nuclear capacity substantially in the United States. With the con­servation of nuclear fuels then becoming of interest again, fast reactors are likely to play a role in this new capacity.

11.63. The disposal of reprocessed high-level waste solidified as glass in canisters requires less volume than the disposal of spent fuel and utilizes a more straightforward leakproof package system. Thus, easier disposal provides some incentive for reprocessing. As a result of all these factors, it is probable that reprocessing of stored spent fuel will be resumed in the United States at some time in the future. Therefore, the highlights of the subject will be discussed here.