Reprocessing And Recycling

Regulatory And Licensing 

Framework Discussion Framework Discussion

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Reprocessing Workshop

September 7th and 8th, 2010

Rockville, MD
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

September 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 PaSeptember 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

September 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

September 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

September 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

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Potential Points

For Discussion

• Regulate more like a reactor (Part 50)• Regulate more like a fuel cycle facility (Par• New or modify existing regulation• One step or two step licensing, or option• Should other licensing options be included 

Should other licensing options be included

ESP, certification etc.?

• Level and type of design information, and d

application(s) and technical parts of SARs

• Balance between regulations and guidance• Inspections, ITAACs etc.• Technology neutral, technology specific, or 

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop