Nuclear fuel cycle technologies - Sustainable in the twenty first century?

This article discusses the application of separation technologies, in particular solvent extraction and ion exchange in the uranium nuclear fuel cycle. The history and decisions in selecting the technology are briefly discussed. The global trends in the energy sector are reviewed and the impact of other energy sources on the nuclear power industry both now and in the future is described. The effect of over capacity in uranium mining and milling, UOC refining and uranium enrichment on the development of new technology is a key feature of this article. Although over capacity is not the case with irradiated fuel reprocessing, other constraints limit the development of new technology and/or process improvements. The environmental considerations of all stages of the uranium nuclear fuel cycle will require better process technology and it is this key balance between the environmental and economic considerations that constitute a key component of this article. Some new solvent extraction processes that may offer a way forward to the segregation of actinides from highly active waste, integrated technologies and non aqueous systems are discussed.