Sfr Deployment Strategy for the Re-use of Spent Fuel in Korea

It is generally recognized that the spent fuel discharged from nuclear power plants constitutes the main contribution to nuclear waste. The management of spent fuel from nuclear power plants differs depending on the perspectives and scenarios posed by the countries directly concerned. However, there is a general consensus on the need for a deep geological repository and a reduction in the burden of the disposal of highly radioactive waste as these issues pertain to non-proliferation. This has led to the definition and implementation of joint research programs worldwide. Many studies have been performed regarding advanced fuel cycle options to manage spent fuel and/or reduce hazardous materials [1,2]. More than 700 tons of spent fuel is discharged annually from the present nuclear fleet composing of 16 PWRs and 4 PHWRs in Korea [3,4]. The spent fuel arising is temporarily stored at each nuclear power plant site and is held there until its final waste disposal process begins. With a continuous expansion of the nuclear power capacity, the overall PWR spent fuel storage capacity is foreseen to be saturated by 2016, even if consideration of the expansion of the spent fuel storage pools at each nuclear power site becomes a reality. In addition, it is difficult to decide on a waste disposal site that can meet widespread public acceptance. Realization of a radioactive waste disposal is an impending challenge in Korea. Korea's share in the world reactor-related uranium requirement was 5.1% in 2005 [5]. The share by 2015 is projected to be 5-7%. The role of nuclear power in electricity generation is expected to become more important in Korea due to its increasing electricity demand coupled with its relatively scant level of natural resources. Concerning the security of a uranium supply, however, difficulty is expected in securing uranium of a level greater than 5% of the world uranium market considering the projection that the overall nuclear capacity for the world’s population will more than double in the coming nuclear renaissance era. This is especially true for several Asian countries. Sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) can recycle transuranics (TRU) through the reuse of PWR spent fuel, which is also synergistic with the efficient use of natural uranium, thus contributing to sustainable development. The SFR designed for the integral recycling of all actinides (uranium and TRU) is known as the GenerationIV (Gen-IV) concept, which has the shortest time The widespread concern regarding the management of spent fuel that mainly contributes to nuclear waste has led to the development of the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) as one of the most promising future types of reactors at both national and international levels. Various reactor deployment scenarios with SFR introductions with different conversion ratios in the existing PWR-dominant nuclear fleet have been assessed to optimize the SFR deployment strategy to replace PWRs with the view toward a reduction in the level of spent fuel as well as efficient uranium utilization through its reuse in a closed fuel cycle. An efficient reactor deployment strategy with the SFR introduction starting in 2040 has been drawn based on an SFR deployment strategy in which burners are deployed prior to breakeven reactors to reduce the amount of PWR spent fuel substantially at the early deployment stage. The PWR spent fuel disposal is reduced in this way by 98% and the cumulative uranium demand for PWRs to 2100 is projected to be 445 ktU, implying a uranium savings of 115 ktU. The SFR mix ratio in the nuclear fleet near the year 2100 is estimated to be approximately 35-40%. PWRs will remain as a main power reactor type until 2100 and SFRs will support waste minimization and fuel utilization.