Research

The UK Nuclear Innovation Programme in Recycle aims to maintain the UK as a world leader in nuclear recycle technologies through innovative research and development.

The selected processes for to be explored for advanced recycling of spent fuel are below.

Advanced PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Extraction) – U/Pu recycle

I-SANEX (Innovative Selective Actinide Extraction) – Minor Actinide Recycle

Work packages

The Research and Development programme is structured into the following Work Packages (WPs):

WP1 Separations Chemistry

Fission product routing
Radiation degradation effects
Product conditioning requirements

WP2 Flowsheet Development

Flowsheet modelling
Rig trials
Towards hot testing

WP3 Technology and Engineering

Contactor systems
Process intensification
Waste arisings

WP4 Future Plan

Costed future programme
Options for active testing

WP5 Knowledge Management

Publications, talks and outputs
Leading and attending meetings/conferences
Links and opportunities
Skills and training