Reprocessing in the United Kingdom
- British Nuclear Fuels Plc, Warrington (United Kingdom)
The reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel to separate uranium and plutonium has been undertaken in the United Kingdom for almost forty years and will shortly enter a significant new phase with the operation of British Nuclear Fuels plc's new Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at the Sellafield site in North West England. This paper focuses on THORP's central facility in which are integrated Head End, Chemical Separation and Product Finishing sections. This central facility is linked directly to a Receipt and Storage Facility for irradiated fuel. The paper also describes the steps being taken at Sellafield to ensure reprocessing wastes are managed in a safe and efficient manner. In addition, the paper discusses the scope of the reprocessing service provided by British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) for which customers in the United Kingdom, mainland Europe and Japan have signed contracts that together represent almost all of the first ten years of THORP capacity and a substantial amount of subsequent capacity. Whilst the United Kingdom's proven experience and modern facilities in themselves make reprocessing a complete and viable irradiated fuel management option, the paper examines the other reasons for adopting a reprocessing strategy and outlines routes available to customers to permit the recycle of their reprocessing products.
- OSTI ID:
- 5982704
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-920414--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Vol. 65; ISSN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Nonbreeding
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Nonboiling Water Cooled
BNFL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FUELS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FUELS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
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SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPENT FUELS
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED KINGDOM ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WESTERN EUROPE