Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Tokai research and development center
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories
4-33, Muramatsu, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki,
Japan 319-1194
tel;029-282-1111
JAEA is carrying out Fast Reactor Cycle Technology Development (FaCT) Project on commercialized fast reactor cycle systems.
As a part of this study, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories is responsible for R&D on the advanced reprocessing technologies, such as advanced aqueous process (U/Pu/Np co-extraction, crystallization, etc.) and advanced equipment (centrifugal contactors, etc.), to establish economic competitiveness, enhancement of nuclear non-proliferation, and reduction of environmental impacts.
And also non-aqueous technologies such as pyrochemical process are currently under development.
And in the FaCT project, the simplified pelletizing fuel fabrication technologies to rationalize the fuel fabrication process step, which would make it possible to operate stable in FBR fuel fabrication process and to be economically competitive, and the fabrication technologies of TRU-MOX fuel with low decontamination are being developed.
The outcome of Phase II of "Feasibility Study on Commercialized Fast Reactor Cycle Systems(FS)" was evaluated by the Study, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and MEXT presented the results of this evaluation to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
The AEC decided on "Basic Policy on Research and Development of FBR Cycle Technologies over the Next Decade" on December 26th, 2006.
Based on these evaluations and policy, the technologies of combination of the sodium-cooled FBR with MOX fuel core, the advanced aqueous reprocessing process and the simplified pelletizing fuel fabrication as currently the most promising conceptual system of the FBR cycle technologies are being developed intensively for commercialization in the FaCT project.
