International Collaboration, the Route to Fuel Cycle RD

摘要

When looking back at the history of nuclear fission fuel cycle research and development in the United Kingdom the heady days of significant investment are a long distant memory. Over the decades research has led to the development and deployment of multiple different reactor systems, at least 4 different reprocessing plants, and many different metallic and oxide fuel designs. In the mid to late 1990's, the appetite for Fission fuel cycle research was waning caused by a combination of Government, environmental and public attitude towards nuclear power. Restructure of the industry resulted in the selling, shrinkage or closure of The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels ltd which both supported large R&D programmes, with the National Nuclear Laboratory formed from the remaining elements of these fission research and development departments. The change in Government focus for the nuclear industry towards a clean up mission, thru the creation of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, changed the emphasis of the remaining R&D programmes away from fuel cycle and towards waste treatment and decommissioning. However throughout all this change in the UK, fission reactors continued to operate, fuel continued to be manufactured, and two reprocessing plants continued to operate. Therefore the need for skilled fuel cycle experts with appropriate facilities to provide the support and advice required remained. With limited funds and capabilities but a demand to have resources "on tap", collaboration with other international programmes was seen as the only route available to developing and securing this resources. The European Union Framework Programme, through the Euratom section, has provided the ability to collaboration on fission fuel cycle research. Participation in programmes such as ACSEPT, GoFastR, ASGARD, and CANDIDE to name but a few has enable a core resource to be maintained, whilst also developing advances in the fuel cycle. Whilst the fortunes of nuclear power in the UK are changing again with a new fleet of reactors now considered a certainty, it is unlikely that funding for fuel cycle research will ever return to the level of those from history. In addition many other countries are struggling to fund large independent domestic programmes despite continued demand for nuclear power. To achieve further breakthroughs in the fuel cycle collaboration on international programmes will be essential, allowing greater reach and leverage of limited funds, better utilisation of scarce facilities and capabilities, and wider knowledge input.