Advanced Nuclear Reactors—Challenges Related to the Reprocessing of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Katarzyna Kiegiel (), Tomasz Smoliński and Irena Herdzik-Koniecko
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Katarzyna Kiegiel: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
Tomasz Smoliński: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
Irena Herdzik-Koniecko: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-23

Abstract: Nuclear energy can help stop climate change by generating large amounts of emission-free electricity. Nuclear reactor designs are continually being developed to be more fuel efficient, safer, easier to construct, and to produce less nuclear waste. The term advanced nuclear reactors refers either to Generation III+ and Generation IV or small modular reactors. Every reactor is associated with the nuclear fuel cycle that must be economically viable and competitive. An important matter is optimization of fissile materials used in reactor and/or reprocessing of spent fuel and reuse. Currently operating reactors use the open cycle or partially closed cycle. Generation IV reactors are intended to play a significant role in reaching a fully closed cycle. At the same time, we can observe the growing interest in development of small modular reactors worldwide. SMRs can adopt either fuel cycle; they can be flexible depending on their design and fuel type. Spent nuclear fuel management should be an integral part of the development of new reactors. The proper management methods of the radioactive waste and spent fuel should be considered at an early stage of construction. The aim of this paper is to highlight the challenges related to reprocessing of new forms of nuclear fuel.

Keywords: advanced nuclear fuel cycle; reprocessing; transmutation; nuclear waste; III/IV generation reactors; high temperature reactor; molten salt reactor; fast reactor; light water reactor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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