Potentiality and reality on recycle of nuclear rare metals as a new resource for the next generation

Ozawa, Masaki; Koyama, Shinichi  ; Suzuki, Tatsuya*

Toward the ultimate minimization of the ecological risks originated in spent nuclear fuel recycling, a new fuel cycle paradigm was proposed. Basic researches have been actualized under the flame of Adv.-ORIENT Cycle strategy. The strategy will cover the recycle of some specific fission products as well as the enhanced P&T of all of actinides and long-lived fission product (LLFP). Among such, Ru, Rh, Pd (light PGM), Tc, Mo, Cs, Sr and Lns are newly categolized as nuclear rare metal (NRM), and thus considered as the second product of Adv.-ORIENT Cycle. Each NRM has own success scenario for their utilization. IXC and CEE will be major tool to separate such NRM from radioactive wastes. The extensive separation of NRM (along with actinides and LLFP) would not only open a new direction in fuel cycle missions, but also improve radioactive waste management either in the existing reprocessing and vitrification, or the repository tasks.