Nuclear fuel cycle technologies - Sustainable in the twenty first century?

This article discusses the application of separation technologies, in parti cular solvent extraction and ion exchange in the uranium nuclear fuel cycle . The history and decisions in selecting the technology are briefly discuss ed. The global trends in the energy sector are reviewed and the impact of o ther energy sources on the nuclear power industry both now and in the futur e is described. The effect of over capacity in uranium mining and milling, UOC refining and uranium enrichment on the development of new technology is a key feature of this article. Although over capacity is not the case with irradiated fuel reprocessing, other constraints limit the development of n ew technology and/or process improvements. The environmental considerations of all stages of the uranium nuclear fuel cycle will require better proces s technology and it is this key balance between the environmental and econo mic considerations that constitute a key component of this article. Some ne w solvent extraction processes that may offer a way forward to the segregat ion of actinides from highly active waste, integrated technologies and non aqueous systems are discussed.