Method for utilizing contaminated fractions of reprocessed uranium enrichment in double cascade schemes.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Method for utilizing contaminated fractions of reprocessed uranium enrichment in double cascade schemes.
Authors:	Gusev, Vladislav E.¹ (AUTHOR), Smirnov, Andrei Yu¹ (AUTHOR) a.y.smirnoff@rambler.ru, Sulaberidze, Georgy A.¹ (AUTHOR)
Source:	Atomic Energy. Jul2025, Vol. 138 Issue 3, p197-202. 6p.
Subjects:	Uranium, Reactor fuel reprocessing, Nuclear fuels, Thermal neutrons, Cascades (Fluid dynamics), Mathematical optimization, Fuel cycle
Abstract:	Background: Increasing the efficiency of using reprocessed uranium can partially solve the problems of resource availability for thermal neutron power reactors, as well as the continuous accumulation of spent nuclear fuel. Aim: To develop a method for including the double cascade subproduct in the production of nuclear fuel without additional costs for separative work by replacing part of the natural uranium in producing low-enriched uranium for thermal neutron reactors. Materials and methods: The possibility of involving the subproduct of a modified double cascade for enrichment of reprocessed uranium in the production of nuclear fuel is considered. A method is proposed for including the subproduct of such a double cascade in the production of nuclear fuel. Results: The study demonstrates this method saving natural uranium by 4.3% compared to the same cascade without using the light fraction flow. Conclusion: The proposed method increases the proportion of 235 U returned to the fuel cycle and provides additional combined savings of natural uranium and costs of separative work compared to an open nuclear fuel cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	Background: Increasing the efficiency of using reprocessed uranium can partially solve the problems of resource availability for thermal neutron power reactors, as well as the continuous accumulation of spent nuclear fuel. Aim: To develop a method for including the double cascade subproduct in the production of nuclear fuel without additional costs for separative work by replacing part of the natural uranium in producing low-enriched uranium for thermal neutron reactors. Materials and methods: The possibility of involving the subproduct of a modified double cascade for enrichment of reprocessed uranium in the production of nuclear fuel is considered. A method is proposed for including the subproduct of such a double cascade in the production of nuclear fuel. Results: The study demonstrates this method saving natural uranium by 4.3% compared to the same cascade without using the light fraction flow. Conclusion: The proposed method increases the proportion of 235 U returned to the fuel cycle and provides additional combined savings of natural uranium and costs of separative work compared to an open nuclear fuel cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10634258
DOI:	10.1007/s10512-025-01245-5