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Nuclear fuel reprocessing: Can pyro-processing reduce nuclear proliferation risk?

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  • Woo, Seung Min
  • Chirayath, Sunil S.
  • Fuhrmann, Matthew

Abstract

The long-term sustainability of nuclear energy requires a closed fuel cycle in which used fuel is reprocessed and recycled. Unlike the PUREX process, which produces a pure plutonium product, pyro-processing produces a depleted uranium ingot and a mixed ingot of depleted uranium and transuranic elements (neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium) in the ratio 1:1. This seems to suggest that pyro-processing has a lower nuclear proliferation risk compared to PUREX because of the non-availability of a pure Pu product in pyro-processing. In this paper, we study some of the technical challenges in safeguarding a pyro-processing facility with respect to various special nuclear material (SNM) diversion scenarios and propose some possible solutions. We also analyze the misuse of pyro-processing in tandem with a covert PUREX facility. Wide-area environmental sampling and satellite imagery could detect the misuse. Additional strategies recommended are: employment of resident inspectors, establishment of dedicated nuclear safeguards funds, and international sanctions against the misuse of pyro-processing facilities. Results of the study show that suggested technical and administrative measures can make SNM diversion from a pyro-processing facility extremely difficult. We conclude that the use of pyro-processing in place of PUREX in a closed fuel cycle can lower the proliferation risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Woo, Seung Min & Chirayath, Sunil S. & Fuhrmann, Matthew, 2020. "Nuclear fuel reprocessing: Can pyro-processing reduce nuclear proliferation risk?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:144:y:2020:i:c:s0301421520303396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Park, Byung Heung & Gao, Fanxing & Kwon, Eun-ha & Ko, Won Il, 2011. "Comparative study of different nuclear fuel cycle options: Quantitative analysis on material flow," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(11), pages 6916-6924.
    2. Borges Silverio, Leticia & Lamas, Wendell de Queiroz, 2011. "An analysis of development and research on spent nuclear fuel reprocessing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 281-289, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alistair F. Holdsworth & Harry Eccles & Clint A. Sharrad & Kathryn George, 2023. "Spent Nuclear Fuel—Waste or Resource? The Potential of Strategic Materials Recovery during Recycle for Sustainability and Advanced Waste Management," Waste, MDPI, vol. 1(1), pages 1-15, January.

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