The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Last Updated: 08 October 2009

Oxide fuel is used in Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGR) operated by British Energy (BE) in the UK, and in Light Water Reactors (LWR) operated by utilities around the world.  The main difference between the two fuel types is that AGR fuel is clad in stainless steel and LWR is contained in zircaloy.  The NDA is contractually committed to provide a spent fuel management service to BE over the lifetime of the AGR power stations and to reprocess fuel from overseas customers already delivered to Sellafield.

Downloadable version of this page:    Oxide Fuel Topic Strategy Summary (34.2KB)

Objective

The objective for the oxide fuel strategy is
1.      To ensure the receipt, safe management and ultimate disposition of UK owned oxide fuel.
2.      To optimise the disposition of overseas owned oxide fuel held in the UK.

Scope and Boundaries

The scope of the oxide fuel strategy includes irradiated fuel from the 14 AGRs in England and Scotland and the fuel already delivered to Sellafield from Japanese and European utilities.  Excluded from this strategy is non-standard fuel which is considered as part of the Exotic fuel strategy and fuel from Sizewell B.

Interfaces

The oxide fuel strategy interfaces with a number of other Topic Strategies including: ·

• Magnox fuel strategy is related because of the demands on common infrastructure at Sellafield         
• Plutonium strategy is related because plutonium is produced as a result of reprocessing oxide fuel       
• Uranics strategy is related because uranium is produced as a result of reprocessing oxide fuel 
• Higher Activity Wastes strategy is related because there is potential for disposal of oxide fuel in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)

Credible Options

The two strategic options with corresponding sub-options that relate to oxide fuel are:

1.  To reprocess spent fuel

2.  To store prior to disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)

2.1  Wet store
2.2  Dry store

Current Position

Overseas oxide fuel is planned to be reprocessed in accordance with contractual commitments and the products returned to customers. Approximately one third of the AGR fuel will be reprocessed and the remainder will be stored, pending a decision on its ultimate disposition.

The current strategy is being executed at Sellafield but is subject to uncertainty and risks associated with Thorp performance, Highly Active evaporator capacity and the availability of fuel storage.  We are examining options for the disposition of the UK's AGR fuel to determine the best long term solution.  Continuing to reprocess AGR fuel will require major investment in supporting infrastructure at Sellafield, continued operation of 
Thorp and the Highly active effluent support plants.   

The technical case for the alternative option of long term storage prior to disposal in the GDF has not yet been fully explored. However, it is a strategy implemented by other countries with spent oxide fuel. The case for long term storage, up to 100 years, will require regulatory approval.

The reference strategy is being executed at Sellafield and is at Stage D/E. The development of a robust strategy for the lifetime arisings of AGR fuel is in Stage A of the SMS (the development and analysis of Credible Strategic Options).  

Position at Strategy II (June 2010)

The reference strategy will continue to be executed.

For Strategy II the aim is to publish credible options to support the development of a deliverable oxide fuel strategy in the long term.