DOE OSTI · 3006050
Assessment of Uranium Isotope Impacts
Abstract
This report examines the benefits and challenges associated with recycling recovered uranium (RU) from the used nuclear fuel (UNF) discharged from a once-through sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) with high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) which has a higher residual U-235 content in the RU. However, there are three minor uranium isotopes that influence the value of the RU. There will be trace quantities of U-232 in RU, which can increase dose rates and, in turn, increase the cost of fuel fabrication. Additionally, the U-234 and U-236 isotopes are found in higher concentration in RU than in NU, and act as neutron poisons, requiring higher U-235 concentrations to compensate for the neutron poisoning effects of these isotopes.
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Hoffman, E. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)], Bachmann, A. M. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)], Stauff, N. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)], Cuadra, A. [Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)], Lu, C. [Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)]. 2025-08-31. Assessment of Uranium Isotope Impacts. https://doi.org/10.2172/3006050
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