William Hannum

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Dr. William Hannum

Nuclear Recycle

Canadian Nuclear Society
29th Annual Conference
2 June 2008

Abstract

Sensible recycling of used nuclear fuel will allow nuclear power to satisfy the early dream of environmentally responsible, essentially unlimited energy at a reasonable cost. This will require a multiple-pass nuclear fuel cycle. Technologies for recycling used nuclear fuel are available that will resolve the most challenging nuclear waste issues and will significantly simplify the task of controlling the potential for weapons proliferation. A major effort is needed to build prototype facilities for processing used fuel from today’s nuclear power plants, to recover material for use in fast reactors. As these technologies are being developed and implemented, many additional nuclear power plants based on today's single-pass nuclear fuel cycle will be needed to meet near term demands for energy.

Introduction

This is an exciting time to be involved in the nuclear power business. Existing nuclear power plants are operating very well. They are largely paid off, and are running flat-out, minting money. Generating companies can see the need for additional base-load capacity, and there are no real competitors to nuclear power to fill this need. But there are doubts and challenges on the horizon.

Advanced Recycle - Why Now?

Preaching to the Choir

Introduction

This paper presents no new science; the science behind what I have to say is all available. This is not a paid promotion of any specific product or design, but an appeal for all of us in the nuclear community to recognize that we need to get on with the practical matter of addressing immediate needs, and put aside the thrill of searching for something that is different, and perhaps a little more sexy. Members of the Choir: We need to be singing from the same song book.

The context of my remarks is that we need additional electrical capacity in this country and around the world, to support a healthy, growing economy. The energy needs of the U.S., or of the wider world, will not be met without nuclear power, and lots of it, and we need it now. That means we need to get on with building standardized light-water cooled reactors (LWRs).

If we are going to have lots of LWRs, we need to have a plan for the used fuel.

That, in turn, means a Yucca Mountain type repository - or - recycle.