Reprocessing And Recycling

Regulatory And Licensing 

Framework Discussion Framework Discussion

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Reprocessing Workshop

October 19th and 20th, 2010

Albuquerque, NM
Reprocessing And Recyclin

(context from NUREG-1909)

• Reprocessing

– Also termed processing or separations– Dissolves SNF and separates SNF constituents– Recovers potentially useful constituents

• Fuel materials (U, Pu for LWRs, and TRUs for advan• Potential for others ( g, , e.

g., Cs, Xe, Ru/Pt)

– Removes and conditions wastes– Processes highly radioactive and self-heating ma

• Recycling

– Converts recovered useful constituents into reusa

(e.g., MOX fuel assembly for LWRs) and avoid Saccumulation and inventory

– Potentially involves more separations and blendin– Processes materials less radioactive and less se– Usually represents last operations in a reprocess

October 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Atomic Energy Act (AEA)

As Amended

• Defines production facility• Reprocessing facilities meet the definition o

production facility

– “... facility ... separation of isotopes of pluton– “... process irradiated materials containing sp

nuclear material nuclear material ... ” [e g plutonium uranium [e.g., plutonium, uranium

uranium enriched in U-233 or U-235]

• Identifies minimum requirements for reproc

facilities, which are codified in 10 CFR 50 (50.34, 50.36, Appendices A, F etc.)

• Nuclear power reactors are also regulated 

50

• Special Nuclear Material is regulated by PaOctober 2010 Reprocessing Workshop
Main NRC Regulations For

Reprocessing/Recycling – R&R (t

Part 50• Production facilities (this 

context): processing irradiated materials containin

g SNM

Part 70

• SNM – Special Nu

Material

• Process non-irradi

g materials containin

• Reprocessing facilities are 

production facilities

• Deterministic, DBAs, adjust 

via PRAs

• GDCs, tech specs, source 

term, QA, ALARA

• Focus has become LWRs• Current regulation for R&R

• Includes enrichme

and MOX facilities

• Risk informed via • Most licenses and 

applications involvprocessing

– One involves MO– Two involve HEU

October 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
NRC’s Focus Is Safety:

Relative Hazards/Consequen

Material Relative Inhalation 

Dose/mass

LEU, 5% U-235

1

U-235, 100%

5

MOX, 5% Pu-239, 95% U-238 19,000 MOX, 5% Puf, Weapons-grade Pu 25,000Fission Products – Cs + Sr 41,000SNF – Cs, Sr, U, TRUs 220,000MOX, 5% Puf, Reactor Pu 230,000MOX, 5% Puf, Reactor Pu, 0.25% Am 310,000

October 2010

SNF, FPs based upon 60,000 MWD/MTIHM Burnup

Reprocessing Workshop
One-Step Or Two-Step

Licensing

• Part 50 is based upon two-step licensi

– Construction Permit, followed by– Operating License

• Part 50/52 combination allows one-ste

licensing

– Combined construction permit and operat

license 

– Also includes ESP, design certification, IT

• Part 70 allows one or two-step licensin

two-step:

– Construction Permit, followed by– Possession and Use license

October 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Reprocessing And Recyclin

Technology

• Existing, overseas commercial scale tech

– Use aqueous dissolution followed by deconta– Separates and decontaminates based upon p

between aqueous and immiscible solvent pha

– Optimizations of the PUREX process

• Laboratory or pilot-scale processes

– Several aqueous, some non-aqueous process

pyrochemical, electrorefining)

• Potential domestic commercial reprocess

facilities might use additional modificationPUREX or pyrochemical processes

October 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Potential Questions For Discussio

• What regulatory approach should NRC follow for R&R facilities? 

50 (more like a reactor), revise Part 70 (more like a fuel facility), regulation?

• Should the regulation allow one step or two step licensing, or op

either?

• Should other licensing options be included, such as ESP, design 

inspections/ITAACs etc.?

• What is the appropriate level and type of design information, and 

app cat o (s) a d tec ca pa ts o S s licatio

n(s)

a

n

d technical pa

rts

of 

SAR

s

?

• How can the NRC implement regulations that are technology ne

the NRC have technology specific portions or reserved sections 

• R&R facilities actually consist of several smaller facilities, some 

a clear licensing path today (e.g., SNF storage via Part 72). Shoregulations allow separate licensing of these “sub-facilities” and 

licensing/D&D times and approaches?

• Should the NRC follow the financial requirements outlined in Pa

Part 70 (SNM/fuels), or consider something else? 

• What issues should the NRC consider in R&R facility life-cycle p

including minimizing contamination [20.1406], D&D etc.)?

• What should be the balance between regulations and guidance 

R.G.s)?

October 2010 Reprocessing Workshop