Spent Fuel Reprocessing 

In a Spent Fuel Reprocessing scheme, Uranium and Plutonium are extracted from the spent fuel of nuclear reactors. Typically, these extracted components are then mixed with other Uranium oxides to produce more mixed-oxide fuel (MOX) for further use in reactors (usually of the thermal variety). Some reprocessing schemes also extract other minor actinides as well as plutonium for use in fast reactors.

 

FAS Resources on Spent Fuel Reprocessing:

Plutonium Reprocessing and Recycling

Commentary on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership

Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal

Overview of Uranium Production

Nuclear Forces Guide

Additional Resources:

NRDC Briefing on GNEP

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