Issues for conceptual design of AFCF and CFTC LWR spent fuel separations influencing next-generation aqueous fuel reprocessing

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) strategic plan, which aims to meet US and international energy, safeguards, fuel supply and environmental needs by harnessing national laboratory R&D, deployment by industry and use of international partnerships. Initially, two industry-led commercial scale facilities, an advanced burner reactor (ABR) and a consolidated fuel treatment center (CFTC), and one developmental facility, an advanced fuel cycle facility (AFCF) are proposed. The national laboratories will lead the AFCF to provide an internationally recognized RD&D center of excellence for developing transmutation fuels and targets and advancing fuel cycle reprocessing technology using aqueous and molten salt methods. The design drivers for AFCF and CFTC LWR spent fuel separations are expected to impact on and reflect those for industry, which is engaging with DOE in studies for CFTC and ABR through the GNEP funding opportunity announcement (FOA). The paper summarizes the state-of-the-art of aqueous reprocessing, assesses engineering drivers for U.S. aqueous processing facilities, examines historic plant capital costs and provides conclusions with a view to influencing design of next-generation fuel reprocessing plants.