NUCLEAR FUEL REPROCESSING: SAFEGUARDING AND NONPROLIFERATION ISSUES

This paper examines the safeguarding and nonproliferation issues of nuclear fuel reprocessing. This work studies the policies of the United States and international policies toward nuclear fuel reprocessing and their impact on the state of technology. As the need for a reliable source of energy increases, it is expected that nuclear energy will receive serious attention from developing countries around the world. As a consequence of this nuclear renaissance, an increase in demand for nuclear fuel is anticipated. New strategies will need to be in place to support the growing nuclear industry and to establish a reliable fuel supply (RFS). Nuclear reprocessing appears to be an ideal solution to supply the fuel needed to establish an RFS. Furthermore, nuclear fuel reprocessing can be a viable alternative to “close” the fuel cycle and reduce the nuclear waste generated. However, in order for nuclear reprocessing to be accepted worldwide, safeguarding measures and novel detection technology are needed to assure the non-military use of the technology. Safeguarding, early detection, and prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation by diversion of plutonium from the civilian fuel cycle are still key issues and serious threats to worldwide acceptance. Some of the issues related to nonproliferation and international safeguarding technological barriers are identified in this paper.