Spent nuclear fuel RD&D experience, accomplishments, and capability at OrNL

E. D. Collins, D. E. Benker, F. R. Chattin, L. K. Felker, P. D. Bailey, R. J. Vedder, G. D. Del Cul, B. B. Spencer, R. T. Jubin

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has been a leader in fuel cycle technology for more than 50 years, as well as in transuranium element radioisotope production. Both programs require similar technologies, including Partitioning-Transmutation processes. Therefore, research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects for process improvement could be jointly done. Currently, the production of transcurium element isotopes occurs in a campaign performed at 2-year intervals. A new large project for production of 238Pu by transmutation irradiation of 237Np, began in 2011, and is ramping up to a 1.5 kg scale by 2025; however, there are still gaps in the schedule where other fuel cycle projects could be done. ORNL appears to be well-positioned to continue solving the challenging technologies of isotope production and SNF component recycling (waste minimization) in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages130-138
Number of pages9
StatePublished - 2020
Event14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019 - Seattle, United States
Duration: Sep 22 2019Sep 27 2019

Conference

Conference14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period09/22/1909/27/19

Funding

This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).

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