Global Nuclear Experts Gather in Daejeon to Discuss Spent Nuclear Fuel Recycling Technologies

OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, KAERI and KHNP to Hold International Workshop Nov. 11-13
Sharing Pyroprocessing and Recycled Fuel Technologies; Seeking International Cooperation

Global nuclear experts will gather in Daejeon to discuss technologies for recycling spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants and radioactive waste management strategies. As countries pursue nuclear power expansion and the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), a key agenda item will be how to link spent nuclear fuel recycling with final disposal.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) announced that it will host the “Recycling Workshop for Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycles” from November 11 to 13 at its headquarters in Daejeon. The workshop is organized by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA) and co-hosted by KAERI and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

File photo to help readers understand the article. Interior of Onkalo, a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel built on Olkiluoto Island in Eurajoki, Finland. The facility is designed to place containers holding spent nuclear fuel in holes drilled about 8 meters into the bedrock and seal them for long-term isolation. Provided by the Spent Nuclear Fuel Public Engagement Commission.

About 110 people are expected to attend, including experts from government agencies, research institutions and industry in major countries such as the United States, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and Belgium, as well as officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Across five sessions, participants will discuss the state of recycling technologies, their economic viability, regulatory issues and international cooperation.

Spent nuclear fuel recycling is a technology that recovers usable materials, such as uranium, remaining in fuel removed from nuclear reactors and uses them to make new fuel. When combined with advanced reactors such as fast reactors, it may reduce the volume, heat generation and long-term radiotoxicity of radioactive waste requiring final disposal. However, challenges remain, including ensuring economic viability, preventing nuclear proliferation and verifying safety.

The workshop will cover the entire process, from reprocessing to separate and recover recyclable materials from spent nuclear fuel to manufacturing new fuel and reusing it.

KAERI will present the status of its research and development into pyroprocessing, a dry recycling technology. French nuclear company Orano will report on the expansion of its mixed oxide (MOX) fuel manufacturing facilities, while the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in the United States will outline challenges to the practical application of recycling technologies following their demonstration. Advanced reactor developers, including GE Hitachi, Moltex Energy Canada and Newcleo, will also discuss ways to use recycling technologies.

KAERI has been conducting research on pyroprocessing since 1997. It currently operates the Pyroprocess Integrated Inactive Demonstration Facility (PRIDE), which uses surrogate materials, and the Korea Underground Research Tunnel (KURT). Participants are scheduled to visit these facilities and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power’s SMR Simulator Center on November 13.

Choi Kiyong, vice president of KAERI, said, “To ensure the sustainability of the nuclear industry, spent nuclear fuel recycling and disposal must be considered together.” He added, “We hope this workshop will serve as an opportunity to advance concrete international cooperation.”

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