Electrical circuit model for quantifying the proliferation resistance of nuclear fuel cycles

For quantifying the proliferation resistance of nuclear fuel cycles, the pr oliferation resistance index was modeled in imitation of an electrical circ uit and linked with multi-attribute utility theory. As a case study, this m odel was applied to Korean nuclear fuel cycle alternatives including DUPIC( Direct Use of spent PWR fuel In CANDU) fuel cycle. The main features of the model are that political issues as well as technical issues relevant to th e proliferation resistance can be included, and also all facilities and act ivities in a specific nuclear fuel cycle, from mining to disposal, can be c onsidered. It appeared that the resistance index derived using an electrica l circuit concept could be used as an international measure for the risk of nuclear proliferation. From the case study, it seems that the DUPIC fuel o ption in Korea could be strongly competitive with the reprocessing option i n respect of nuclear proliferation resistance. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.