Year
2003
Abstract
The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) has investigated a commercialized fast reactor cycle to make the maximum use of its primary advantages. This study is called the Feasibility Study (FS) on Commercialized Fast Reactor Cycle Systems. A wide range of technical options incorporating innovative technologies were reviewed and evaluated; data and materials to clarify the commercialization strategy were collected and developed; and highly feasible candidate concepts for the fast reactor cycle were screened. The options have five development targets: ensuring safety, economic competitiveness, efficient utilization of resources, reduction in environmental burden, and enhancement of nuclear proliferation resistance. For the purpose of screening the candidate nuclear cycle options to be actually developed, a quantitative assessment should be contributable. However, proliferation resistance is a complicated problem, containing technological, political, organizational, social, economical and other factors, which are both quantitative and qualitative in nature. This fact makes it difficult to assess proliferation resistance quantitatively. Therefore, the results of the assessment depend greatly on the assumptions. A trial quantitative assessment that JNC has been studying is introduced in this paper. Some typical nuclear fuel cycle options were selected for this trial assessment. This trial was carried out using limited assumptions; however, this is a meaningful first trial assessment.