Current status and development plan on fuel cycle system of fast reactor cycle technology in Japan

Ito, Masanori; Funasaka, Hideyuki; Namekawa, Takashi

The FaCT project in Japan is implemented purposing to decide the adoption of innovative technologies by 2010 and to judge the prospect of the applicability of innovative technologies to the commercialized fast reactor cycle system by 2015. Innovative technologies to be developed are identified as six development issues for advanced aqueous reprocessing system and six ones for simplified pelletizing method fuel fabrication system. As for reprocessing technology, uranium crystallization and extraction chromatography are important. Wide range of development work from chemical fundamental study to engineering-scale equipment operation are planned and practiced. As for fuel fabrication, conversion and granulation are important to get the source MOX powder with good flowability. Development of modular equipments with grater remote maintenance performance and repairing system in a hot cell is essential to put the low decontaminated TRU fuel fabrication into practical use.