Environmental Assessment: DOE Program to Improve Uranium Utilization in Light Water Reactors

摘要

DOE is planning to conduct a research and development program to develop and demonstrate light water reactor (LWR) fuel capable of achieving extended burnups (45,000 to 55,000 MWd/t) and to demonstrate modified fuel management schemes in which a somewhat smaller fraction of the core loading is replaced at each refueling interval and in which neutron leakage is reduced from the reactor core. This proposed action, the probable impact of the proposed action on the environment, and alternatives to the proposed action are discussed in this report. Although the proposed action is limited to the research and development (R and D) program required to develop and demonstrate alternatives for improving uranium utilization, it is expected that these improvements will be utilized in commercial pressurized water reactor (PWR) and boiling water reactor (BWR) plants, assuming the successful completion of this R and D program and review and approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The implementation of these improvements in commercial PWR and BWR plants would reduce the requirements for mining and milling of uranium ore, separative work, fuel fabrication, and spent fuel storage. A reduction in fuel cycle cost and impacts would also be obtained because of the reduction in U sub 3 O sub 8 , fuel fabrication, and spent fuel storage requirements. The impact of eventually implementing these improvements in commercial reactors is discussed since its implementation constitutes a probable long-term environmental effect. (ERA citation 10:011125)