This action will reinforce the important Euratom research undertaken in previous programmes and will represent real progress towards the safe realisation of P&T processes, a key component of future fuel cycle strategies, whether sub-critical ADS or fourth generation critical reactors. This research will improve the efficiency and safety of processes using state-of-the-art P&T technology for the closure of the nuclear fuel cycle. Even if a final repository were required, P&T would drastically reduce radiotoxicity, heat production and the volume of high-activity radioactive waste packaging, which would facilitate the long-term safety of a final repository.
An open fuel cycle uses only a small portion of the energy contained in uranium. This efficiency can be considerably improved by recycling spent fuel, including, in the longer term, multiple recycling strategies. In addition, these closed fuel cycles could facilitate the management of the final radioactive waste by reducing its volume and radiotoxicity, while offering significant advantages in terms of uranium resource utilisation and increased proliferation resistance. The EU benefits from extensive operational experience in this field, which is unique in the world. This experience should be used and expanded to further improve the nuclear safety, radiation protection and environmental protection aspects of fuel reprocessing options. This challenge also arises in relation to separation and transmutation (P&T) processes for appropriate recycling strategies, development and qualification, and safety assessment of innovative fuels and coatings for advanced Generation IV systems.
This action will address the research and innovation needs of the final fuel cycle in all technical areas of science and technology identified in the SNETP deployment strategy and will provide the basis for the further development of pilot facilities, the demonstration on an industrial scale of the most advanced science and technology systems, involving subcritical or critical systems, with a view to reducing the volume and hazard of high-level long-lived radioactive waste from the treatment of spent nuclear fuel. These interdisciplinary research activities will require advanced experimental tests, infrastructures and numerical simulation tools. Full use should be made of the networks of existing European research institutions that promote further integration and where international cooperation could be of great benefit in this area.
This action will reinforce the important Euratom research undertaken in previous programmes and will represent real progress towards the safe realisation of P&T processes, a key component of future fuel cycle strategies, whether sub-critical ADS or fourth generation critical reactors. This research will improve the efficiency and safety of processes using state-of-the-art P&T technology for the closure of the nuclear fuel cycle. Even if a final repository were required, P&T would drastically reduce radiotoxicity, heat production and the volume of high-activity radioactive waste packaging, which would facilitate the long-term safety of a final repository.
Deadline
25th of September
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