u.s. department of energy fuel cycle technologies r&d outlook
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John HerczegDeputy Assistant Secretary for Fuel Cycle Technologies Office of Nuclear EnergyTRANSCRIPT
John HerczegDeputy Assistant Secretary for Fuel Cycle Technologies
Office of Nuclear Energy
U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Cycle Technologies R&D Outlook
Global 2015 French Section American Nuclear Society
September 23, 2015
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Focus Areas of DOE Fuel Cycle Technologies
Enrichment & Fuel
Fabrication
Reactors Recycle Interim Storage
Final Disposal
AdvancedReactors
Light WaterReactors
Other AdvancedTechniques
Conventional Mining
Conventional LWR Fuel Fabrication
LLW DisposalAdvanced Reactor
Fuel
GeologicRepository
InterimStorageSeawater
ExtractionLWR Fuel with
Improved AccidentTolerance
Advanced ReactorRecycle
Product WasteForms
LWR Recycle
UraniumSupply
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Safeguards and Security by Design
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Fuel Cycle Research & Development Program
NE
FCR&D
Conduct R&D on advanced sustainable fuel cycle technologies that have the potential to improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce waste generation, enhance safety, and limit proliferation risk;
Conduct generic research and development and generic non-R&D activities related to used nuclear fuel, nuclear waste management and disposal issues;
Lay the ground work and planning for the implementation of the Administration’s strategy on the management of used nuclear fuel and high-level waste.
The program employs a long-term, science-based approach to foster innovative, transformational technology solutions to achieve this mission. Advancements in fuel cycle technologies and solutions support the enhanced availability, affordability, safety, and security of nuclear-generated electricity in the U.S.
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Fuel Cycle Research & DevelopmentFY 2016 Budget Request
Subprogram
(dollars in thousands)
FY 2015 Enacted
FY 2016
Request House Mark Senate Mark
Material Recovery & Waste Form Development 35,300 35,300 35,300 34,800
Advanced Fuels 60,100 48,700 60,100 60,100
Systems Analysis and Integration 16,900 11,200 11,200 11,100
MPACT 7,600 8,600 8,600 8,500
Fuel Resources 5,600 5,600 5,600 5,500
Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition
Research & Development 49,000 75,360 55,000 64,000
Integrated Waste Mgmt. System 22,500 30,000 0 30,000
DOE-Managed HLW & SNF -- 3,000 0 3,000
Total 197,000 217,760 175,800 217,000
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Partnerships Play and Important Role in Fuel Cycle R&D
* Lead laboratories noted with asterisks.SFANSSeptember 23, 2015
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FY 2015 Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP)
20 percent of R&D funding is invested in NEUP: Infrastructure, R&D, Integrated Research Projects (IRPs). In FY 2015, FCR&D funded 18 R&D awards
and 4 IRPs.
Members actively engaged in training/mentoring of undergraduate students from different U.S. DOE programs.
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Material Recovery and Waste Form Development (MRWFD)
SFANS
MRWFD’s mission is to develop advanced material recovery as well as advanced waste form development technologies that improve current fuel cycle performance and enable a sustainable fuel cycle, with minimal processing, waste generation, and potential for material diversion.
Off-Gas Capture and Immobilization Management of process off-gasses (I-
129, H-3, Kr-85, and C-14) to meet U.S. regulatory constraints
Waste Management Waste forms and processes need to be
developed as an integral part of material recovery technology development. As advanced recycling processes are developed, unique waste streams arise that must be managed in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost effective way.
MRWFD’s mission is to develop advanced material recovery as well as advanced waste form development technologies that improve current fuel cycle performance and enable a sustainable fuel cycle, with minimal processing, waste generation, and potential for material diversion.
Off-Gas Capture and Immobilization Management of process off-gasses (I-
129, H-3, Kr-85, and C-14) to meet U.S. regulatory constraints
Waste Management Waste forms and processes need to be
developed as an integral part of material recovery technology development. As advanced recycling processes are developed, unique waste streams arise that must be managed in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost effective way.
STAAR Sigma Team for Advanced
Actinides Recycling
Off-gas Management
FR Fuel Separations
Waste Forms& Processes
Present Future
FundamentalUnderstanding
Cost Effectiveand Appropriate
for Industry Deployment
Material Recovery
Open/ClosedFuel Cycles
Environmental
National Security
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Release of Evaluation and Screening Final Report
The Evaluation and Screening (E&S) study report was released by the DOE-NE Fuel Cycle Options Campaign in October 2014
E&S report provides information about the potential benefits and challenges of nuclear fuel cycle options
Provides useful information to strengthen the basis of DOE-NE R&D programs
Report is comprised of the Main Report and Appendices A-H that provide more details on approach, results, and participants
https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/nuclear_science_and_technology/337/nuclear_fuel_cycle_evaluation_and_screening_final_report
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Advanced Fuels
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102012
Feasibility studies on advanced fuel and clad concepts-- bench-scale fabrication-- irradiation tests-- steam reactions-- mechanical properties-- furnace tests-- modeling
Workshops
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Assessment of new concepts-- impact on economics-- impact on fuel cycle-- impact on operations-- impact on safety envelope-- environmental impact
Fuel Selection/Prioritization
Steady State Tests
Transient Irradiation Tests
LOCA/Furnace Tests
Fuel Performance Code
Fuel Safety Basis
LTA/LTR Ready
Phase 1Feasibility
Phase 2Development/Qualification
Phase 3Commercialization
2022
RD&D Strategy For Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuels – 10 Year Goal
Industry led projects (Phase 1a) Industry led projects (Phase 1b)
Industry led project(s) (Phase 2)
September 23, 2015 SFANS
Increased Interest Globally in Accident Tolerant Fuels
France• Currently defining bilateral activities with
specific agreement to support international activities related to ATF, with joint development of attributes and metrics and coordination of facilities.
• CEA pursues ATF R&D through a tri-party agreement with AREVA and EDF.
Japan• Definition of attributes and metrics• Coordination of technology research and development• Coordination of facilities used for R&D
China• Attributes and metrics • Information exchange on R&D facilities
Russian Federation (currently on hold)• Advanced LWR fuels and ATF• Exchange of attributes and metrics
Others• OECD/NEA Expert Group • IAEA Expert Group
European Union • 2 New INERI projects• Horizon 2020
UK • Bilateral activities currently under discussion(active partners in ATF FOAs and IRPs)
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DOE’s Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Management
2012 – Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future Chartered to recommend a new strategy for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle 2013 – Administration’s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of
Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste Endorsed key principles underpinning the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations2015 – Presidential Memorandum Related to Disposal of Defense High-
Level Radioactive Waste DOE announced a path forward for defense waste, and a parallel path for storage and disposal of commercial spent fuel
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Key Elements of Administration StrategyJanuary 2013
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Announcement of Parallel Path Forward in Waste Management
On March 24, President Obama authorized the Energy Department to move forward with planning for a separate repository for high-level radioactive waste resulting from atomic energy defense activities.
In remarks before the Bipartisan Policy Center, Secretary Moniz discussed this path forward for defense waste as well as a parallel path for storage and disposal of commercial spent fuel, consistent with the Administration’s January 2013 Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, which built upon the work of the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future completed in January 2012.
Secretary Moniz announced three specific actions that the Department will undertake –
Planning for a defense-only repository Moving forward with planning for interim storage of commercial spent fuel Moving forward with a consent-based siting process for both types of
facilities
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Areas of Focus Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Programs
Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition R&D Campaign – Identify alternatives and conduct scientific research and technology development to enable storage, transportation and disposal of used nuclear fuel and wastes generated by existing and future nuclear fuel cycles.
Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project – Lay the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration’s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, and develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization.
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Deep Borehole Field Test
• Demonstrate the scientific feasibility of deep boreholes• Demonstrate safe processes and operations for safe waste
emplacement downhole
Confirm the safety, capacity, and feasibility of the deep borehole disposal concept for the long-term isolation of nuclear waste
Confirm the safety, capacity, and feasibility of the deep borehole disposal concept for the long-term isolation of nuclear waste
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Conclusions
The Office of Fuel Cycle Technologies is developing technology options that support a sustainable nuclear future. Balanced portfolio of near-term and long-term applications of technology Seeking innovation from laboratories and universities and technology
applications in partnership with industry Leveraging limited resources through international collaboration
The Department of Energy is also committed to moving forward with development of management strategies and technologies for the storage and disposal of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
September 23, 2015 SFANS