Research Outline
The nuclear fuel cycle consists of a nuclear reactor as the core, front-end processes including mining, refining, enrichment, and fuel fabrication, and back-end processes including spent fuel reprocessing, vitrification, and final disposal min. The entire nuclear fuel cycle can be quantitatively evaluated by clarifying the material balance between each process and setting appropriate conditions.
In this study, a nuclear fuel cycle simulation code is constructed and numerous future scenarios are analyzed, including the use of MOX fuel, multiple cycles of light water reactors, and the introduction of a fast reactor cycle. The results of the scenario analysis will be used to discuss the advancement of the nuclear fuel cycle starting from the back-end process, aiming at the sustainable use of nuclear energy.