TRS435_web

to reduce the radiotoxic inventory of nuclear material by transmutation is an
important one that has to be taken by the responsible authorities.
The main goals of P&T are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
A reduction of the hazard associated with spent fuel over the medium and
long term (>300 years) by a significant reduction of the inventory of
plutonium and minor actinides (MAs).
A reduction of the time interval required to reach a reference level of
radiotoxicity inventory by recycling transuranic elements (TRUs).
A decrease of the spent fuel volume by separation of uranium to enable
more efficient storage or disposal. This should result in an increase in the
effective capacity of a final repository. However, this approach might
require special handling of strontium and caesium after partitioning.
1.3. PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE OF THIS REPORT
This report concentrates on the radioactive waste aspects of P&T; the
main purpose is to provide useful technical information for decision makers on
the expected long term consequences of present day decisions on waste
management. The fuel cycle and waste management technology necessary to
implement the P&T option is described. The reactor development necessary to
achieve the transmutation yield is beyond the scope of this report, but has been
covered in other publications [2–5].
Sections 1 and 2 are addressed to decision makers in order to inform them
of the coverage of the report and on the implications and consequences of
introducing P&T in an advanced fuel cycle scenario. Section 3 provides
information on the non-proliferation aspects of P&T, with special emphasis on
neptunium and americium. Fuel cycles, considered in the context of P&T, are
introduced and discussed in Section 4. The general nuclear situation in the
world in 2000 is taken as a reference point for the evaluation of the fuel cycle
facilities needed to implement an advanced fuel cycle strategy with P&T as a
possible back end stage in sustainable nuclear energy development. Sections 5
and 6 provide the reader with brief information on P&T, which is necessary for
a better understanding of this report. Sections 7–9 present additional information,
conclusions and recommendations useful in the decision making
process.
The long term fate of nuclear waste in natural conditions is compared in
Annex I with the behaviour of natural analogues (e.g. the Oklo natural fission
reactor) on geological time periods. The ability of the present generation to
guarantee the persistence of waste disposal structures is based on confidence in
3