Closing the CANDU Nuclear Reactor Fuel Cycle with a Modified PUREX Processing System: Reducing, Recycling and Refining CANDU Spent Fuel

Abstract

Currently, CANDU reactors in Canada utilize less than 1% of the potential energy in the fresh fuel bundles fed before storing the remainder as nuclear 'waste' at on-site nuclear waste management facilities. With the modified PUREX processing system, it is economically possible to close the fuel cycle by extracting and converting the remaining 99% to usable energy. The process is designed to mitigate proliferation efforts, as well as produce mixed-oxide fuel for reuse in CANDU reactors and metallic fuel for use in fast-neutron reactors. The multiple products generated create a profit centre.