Development status and plan of MOX fuel production technology for SFR in Japan

Ishii, Katsunori ; Sano, Yuichi   ; Kaito, Takeji ; Takeuchi, Masayuki 

In Japan, research has been conducted on various fast reactor technologies, such as sodium cooling, light water cooling, and thorium molten salt cooling, in accordance with the Strategic Roadmap for Fast Reactor Development, which was approved by the Cabinet in 2018. As a result, sodium cooling was evaluated as the most promising from the perspective of technological maturity and marketability. The roadmap was revised in 2022 to clarify future development policies, etc., and to specify the image of the development target and the progress method. According to the revised roadmap, the selection of fuel technology (oxide fuel and metal fuel) is scheduled to be made around 2026, and various evaluations necessary for comparative selection will be carried out. Regarding MOX fuel fabrication technology, technological development will be focused on technologies that are in a low development stage. This report introduces the development status of MOX fuel fabrication technology, the challenges for practical application, and an overview of future plans.