National Nuclear Laboratory

Publication

Advanced Reprocessing Position Paper

“Advanced Reprocessing – Research and Development Needs” looks at the requirements to support options to close the fuel cycle in the 21st century.

The expected growth of nuclear energy in the UK and globally, as part of the mix of safe, secure and low carbon energy supply needed by 2050, will result in substantial quantities of used nuclear fuel in storage. Disposal of used fuel in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) towards the end of the 21st century, or even later, is a feasible route for this used fuel, the so-called ‘open’ or once-through nuclear fuel cycle.