About the Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme

Why recycle spent nuclear fuel?

An expanded civil nuclear programme may be needed to meet energy demands while still reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Such a programme may require:

• Transitioning to fast reactor technology.
• An understanding of fuel cycle options for new reactors/fuels.
• Management options to reduce pressures on spent fuel storage & disposal.

All these requirements necessitate an assessment of advanced spent nuclear fuel technologies to support an expanded civil nuclear energy programme.

Other benefits for recycling spent nuclear fuel

• Recycling makes best use of uranium resources.
• International opportunities with >500 kte of spent fuel in storage by 2050.
• Maintain skills & develop next generation SMEs.
• Spin-out applications, e.g. Am-241 for space batteries.

The need to develop advanced recycling technologies

• Improve proliferation resistance by controlling the plutonium inventory.
• Reduce heat loading in the geological disposal facility.
• Maximise the use of available resources.
• Improve sustainability (environmental and financial).
• Improve operational safety.
• Increase public acceptability.