Economic analysis on direct use of spent pressurized water reactor fuel inCANDU reactors - IV: DUPIC fuel cycle cost

This study examines the economics of the DUPIC fuel cycle using unit costs of fuel cycle components estimated based on conceptual designs. The fuel cy cle cost (FCC) was calculated by a deterministic method in which reference values of fuel cycle components are used. The FCC was then analyzed by a Mo nte Carlo simulation to get the uncertainty of the FCC associated with the unit costs of the fuel cycle components. From the deterministic analysis on , the equilibrium fuel cycle model, the DUPIC FCC was estimated to be 6.21 to 6.34 mills/kW.h for DUPIC fuel options, which is a little smaller than t hat of the once-through FCC by 0.07 to 0.27 mills/kW.h. Considering the unc ertainty (0.40 to 0.44 mills/kW.h) of the FCC estimated by the Monte Carlo simulation method, the cost difference between the DUPIC and once-through f uel cycle is negligible. On the other hand the material balance calculation has shown that the DUPIC fuel cycle can save natural uranium resources by similar to 20% and reduce the spent fuel arising by similar to 65% compared with the once-through fuel cycle. In conclusion, the DUPIC fuel cycle is c omparable with the once-through fuel cycle from the viewpoint of FCC. In th e future, it should be important to consider factors such as the environmen tal benefit owing to natural uranium savings, the capability of reusing spe nt pressurized water reactor fuel, and the safe guardability of the fuel cy cle when deciding on an advanced nuclear fuel cycle option.