Separations Criteria Studies under the WPFC Expert Group on Chemical Partitioning

The expert group will forge common understandings on separations criteria in order to:

• develop a basis for optimization of the use of future nuclear waste repositories;
• establish a methodology for evaluating the repository impacts of various existing and advanced fuel cycle scenarios;
• explore design bases for future reprocessing plants, following the methodology adjusted for national conditions.

Scope

The expert group will study separations criteria on the following parameters of interest:

• the degree of removal of heat-generating radionuclides (actinides and fission products, treated separately);
• the degree of purification of uranium (for re-enrichment or extended storage for later use in fast reactors);
• the waste volume;
• the radiotoxicity (time to decrease below level of natural uranium ore);
• the waste form composition and durability;
• the release of volatile fission products from reprocessing plant;
• the residual radioactivity of fuel products from reprocessing (impact on fuel fabrication);
• the limitations on fission products (impact on reactor and fuel performance);
• the limitations on impurity content of fuel products (to facilitate fuel design);
• the recovery efficiency for actinides (economics and waste issues).

Schedule and deliverables

• Interim report on separations criteria in June 2007:
• Final draft report in 2008.

Related links

Members' working area (requires password)

For more information on this expert group, please contact Yong-Joon CHOI (Tel: +33 1 4524 1091, yongjoon.choi@oecd.org)

For more information on activities managed/supported by the NSC, please contact Claes Nordborg (Claes.Nordborg@oecd.org) Return to the NSC Home Page