Title: Sustainable and improved utilisation of uranium oxide fuel through a proposed PWR-CANDU nuclear fuel cycle

Authors: R.B.M. Sogbadji; R.G. Abrefah; Griffin Wasike

Addresses: University of Ghana, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Accra, Ghana; Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana ' University of Ghana, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Accra, Ghana; Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Kwabenya, Ghana ' University of Ghana, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Accra, Ghana

Abstract: The global energy transition agenda has led to a corresponding increase in clean energy. Nuclear power is therefore expanding rapidly against the ecological concerns of low power density fossil fuels plants, leading to increased demand for nuclear fuels. This is expected to put a strain on the world uranium resource. This work analyses the reuse of PWR Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) in a CANDU reactor. In this study, the PWR SNF produced extra energy of 38% in the CANDU as compared to the use of traditional natural uranium fuel. This improved fuel economy. The fissile content of the PWR SNF was harnessed without any chemical reprocess thereby preventing access to nuclear material for nuclear proliferation activities. PWR-CANDU nuclear fuel cycle reduced the expected strain on the available uranium reserves for fresh uranium fuel for the once-through CANDU cycle, thereby decreasing environmental degradation which occur through continuous mining of uranium.

Keywords: nuclear fuel cycle; burn-up; actinides; PWR; CANDU; proliferation; energy transition.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2022.128995

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2022 Vol.16 No.1, pp.56 - 66

Received: 18 Mar 2022
Received in revised form: 29 Sep 2022
Accepted: 18 Oct 2022
Published online: 13 Feb 2023 *

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