Environmental aspects of the fast reactor fuel cycle

Abstract
The main characteristics that differentiate a developed fast reactor fuel cycle from the thermal reactor fuel cycles operating now are the higher fissile content of the fuel, the greater incentive to reprocess fuel at shorter delay times and the elimination of uranium mining. The local and global environmental impacts of a typical fuel cycle normalized to 1GW e a of output are estimated, including those from the fabrication, transport and reprocessing of fuel and from reactor operations. Radioactive emissions and radiation doses arising from these operations are compared with those from thermal reactor cycles. The risks of accidental discharges from reprocessing plants are discussed, but reactor accidents are not included. The requirements for safeguards are described. Typical inventories of radioactive wastes arising from reprocessing and from decommissioning have been calculated; the management and disposal of these wastes will pose no significant new problems. The overall result is that a transition from thermal to fast reactor fuel cycles should not result in any increase in environmental impact.

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