Nuclear Energy Agency Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

For more than 20 years, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has been conducting international studies related to the partitioning and transmutation (P&T) of nuclear waste, including physics, chemistry and material issues, as well as fuel cycle and radioactive waste management strategies. The information exchange meetings on actinide and fission product partitioning and transmutation, organised under the auspices of the Nuclear Science Committee (NSC) and the Nuclear Development Committee (NDC), are part of this programme with the objective of enhancing the value of basic research in the field of P&T by providing experts with a forum to present and discuss current developments in the field and by supporting international collaborations. Recently, the NEA reviewed the potential benefits and impacts of advanced fuel cycles with partitioning and transmutation, as well as national programmes in chemical partitioning. The NEA has also compared criteria for a choice between homogeneous and heterogeneous recycle modes and studied the impact of P&T on potential radiological storage and repositories. This paper provides an overview of results from recent NEA activities in the field of P&T and provides an insight into ongoing projects and planned future activities. ACTINIDE AND FISSION PRODUCT PARTITIONING AND TRANSMUTATION, ISBN 978-92-64-99174-3, © OECD 2012 25 OECD/NEA ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PARTITIONING AND TRANSMUTATION