Frederic JOLIOT & Otto HAHN Summer School on Nuclear Reactors “Physics, Fuels and Systems”
Nuclear Fuel Cycle and sustainable development : strategies for the future
Dr. Jacques Bouchard Head of the Nuclear Energy Division French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) [email protected]
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 1 Why should Nuclear Energy play a major role ?
• No CO2 emissions and no • Enhances the energy supply security contribution to Global Warming
• An already competitive energy source
• Safety improvements in 3rd Gen reactors are already significant • Promising assets to produce Hydrogen Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 2 CO2 emissions in 2001 / GDP
tC/1000 US$
0,25
0,20
0,15
France : 27th /30
0,10
0,05
0,00 es m land c lic y g o en r i lia b a tat ands d k y d e a u e S ece d ey o l n ly a nd tz r p r e k um ic ingd la in ar ugal tria la publ and e o d nada an ngar gi any x and bour rt s Ita rw ance e ol te Gr nl u m her al a Japan Swe OCDE ust i Ca H Tur el r et Ire Fr Ic Swi l Re P A h K Fi B Me Ze ed K Sp enm Po Au No ta h Un N it D c Ge w n o e ovak R out Luxem T l S Ne U Cz S Source : AIE/OCDE, 2000
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 3 Sustainable Development Vision Scenario (IEA 2003)
30 9 Other Renewables
toe) Biomass G 25 8,5 Nuclear Gas 20 Oil 8 Sources ( Coal 15 7,5
nergy Population E
10 7 World Population (Billions) 5 6,5 World Primary
0 6 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 Source IEA : Energy to 2050 - Scenarios for a Sustainable Future
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 4 Towards a revival of nuclear ?
USA : “The NEPD Group recommends that the President support the expansion of nuclear energy in the United States as a major component of our national energy policy.” Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group, May 2001
Europe « … the need to keep nuclear power at the heart of Europe’s energy mix » European Parliament resolution, Novembre 2001
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 5 The Evolution of Nuclear Power
Future Advanced Systems Current Reactors Reactors First Reactors
1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 2050 2070 2090
Generation I
UNGG Generation II CHOOZ REP 900 Generation III REP 1300 Generation IV N4 EPR ? Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 6 Nuclear Share of World Electricity Generation
At the end of 2002 : • 441 Nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries – 359 installed GWe • 32 New Reactors – 27 GWe capacity - under construction • Nuclear plants provide 16 percent of global electricity generation - ~ 2,600 Billion KWh
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 7 Nuclear Energy assets for a worlwide development
Æ Nuclear Energy : • A « zero-carbon » emitting source Possible high future ? • Economically viable
Source : EIA, 2002 Î Nuclear Energy should play a major role in the next 50 years
Î But what challenges do we envision for a large expansion of Nuclear Power ?
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 8 Significant prospects for nuclear energy deployment in the world
KOREA nuclear capacity increase + 9 GWe JAPAN FINLAND by ~ 2015 nuclear capacity 5th reactor increase + 12 GWe by 2012 USA + 1500 Power Plants CHINA by 2020 including + 400 GWe nuclear (+ 50 GWe ?) including + 30 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2020 BRAZIL Nuclear Program Revival INDIA nuclear capacity Coal Gas R en 60% increase from 2.5 to Oil Nuclear Hydro 20 GWe by 2020 40%
20%
0% 1900 1950 2000 2050 Source : TotalFinaElf
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 9 Existing Gen II Reactors : an irreplaceable experience
An irreplaceable experience : 9 17% of worlwide electricity generation from nuclear power 9 more than 10 000 year.reactors of experience 9 ~ 355 LWRs corresponding to 80% of the world nuclear fleet (90% of the power produced)
Civaux To reinforce current results : 9 Demonstrate, « prove » the safety of LIGHT WATER REACTORS WILL REMAIN NPPs and Fuel Cycle facilities PREDOMINANT DURING THE FIRST HALF 9 Still improve Nuclear Energy OF THIS CENTURY competitiveness
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 10 Gen II : A nuclear power fleet that will need to be replaced
Operational NPPs Mean age
Country Nb Reactors Mean Age
United States 104 28 years
France 58 18 years
Japan 53 18 years
United 31 29 years Kingdom Germany 19 22 years
Sweden 11 24 years
Belgium 7 23 years
China 7 5 years
Finland 4 23 years
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 11 Gen III : a mature technology for near term deployment
Generation III reactors identified as ‘Near Term Deployment’ by the Generation IV Forum Advanced Pressurized Water Reactors
AP 600, AP 1000, APR1400, APWR+, EPR Advanced Boiling Water Reactors ABWR II, ESBWR, HC-BWR, SWR-1000 Advanced Heavy Water Reactors
ACR-700 (Advanced CANDU Reactor 700) Small and middle range power integrated Reactors
CAREM, IMR, IRIS, SMART High Temperature, Gas Cooled, Modular Reactors GT-MHR, PBMR
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 12 Gen III : significant improvements in safety
And also other improvements : • less waste / kWh EPR Double-wall • higher Pu consumption containment Core melt with ventilation and spreading area • higher resources savings filtration system • more competitive
Containment heat removal system
Four-train redundancy for main Inner refueling safeguard water storage tank Le prsystemsojet EPR
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 13 Significant R&D efforts performed at CEA
Example : severe accidents for EPR
CATHARE : logiciel de thermohydraulique accidentelle pour la gestion VULCANO : dispositif d’essais des accidents de et coulée de Corium dimensionnement
10001000 tests
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 14 Gen III : An improved back-end of the Fuel Cycle
EPR, an increased flexibility for MOX use in reactors, plutonium recycling scenarios studied at CEA
100% MOX Core An enhanced capacity to burn Plutonium
Plutonium annual balance
MOX Kg Pu/year UOX ) REP 900 UO2 : + 200 Grappe de contrôle et ) REP 900 MOX : 0 d’arrêt REP 900 d’urgence EPR ) EPR 100% MOX : - 670
Enhanced ability for plutonium multi-recycling
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 15 GEN IV : paves the way for a sustainable nuclear energy
¾ New requirements for sustainable nuclear energy • Gradual improvements in : • Concepts with breakthroughs 9 Competitiveness 9 Minimization of wastes 9 Safety and reliability 9 Preservation of resources 9 Resistance to Proliferation
¾ New applications : 9 hydrogen production
France 9 water desalination United Canada Kingdom 9 direct use of heat GénérationGénération IVIV E.U. U.S.A. InternationalInternational Switzerl ¾ Penetration of new markets : Brazil ForumForum and MemberMemberss 9 emerging countries Japan Argentina 9 small countries South Africa South Korea
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 16 Closed Fuel Cycles and Fast Reactors : minimize radiotoxicity
U nat
FP Spent Treatment and fuel I.T.R.* Re - fabrication
Vitrified Waste
GEN IV FR
Actinides
* : Integrated Treatment and Refabrication
MA + Æ Benefits of Advanced fuel Cycles :
FP Pu + y
t MA +
i c i Plutonium FP x • A drastic minimization of ultimate
o recycling t
Spent Fuel
o i
d No reprocesisng waste :
a
r
e
v i
t - volume, radiotoxicity, heat reduction
a Uranium Ore (mine)
l e
R P&T of MA • Resources preservation FP • Enhanced resistance to proliferation Time (years)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 17 GEN IV : Gas Cooled Reactors
¾ Fast neutrons ¾ Full Actinide GFR recycling
VHTR HTR ¾ Hydrogen production
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 18 Capability to target new applications
Nuclear energy will be essential for : HHyydrdrogenogen OOxxygeygenn • Electrical power generation NuNucclleearar HeHeatat 1 O H2 2 2 400 C 900 C 1 H 2 O2 2 H SO + 2HI RReejejecctteded 2 4 + … but also for new applications : I SO +H O 2 HeHeatat 100100 C C 2 2
• Hydrogen production + I (Iodine) 2H I H2SO4 S (Sulfur) Circulation Circulation I ++H O SO +H O • Direct use of Heat 2 2 2 2 SO2 + I2 H O 2 H O • Sea water desalination 2
WaWatteerr
Fuel Cell Prototype vehicle (hydrogen) Very High Temperature Reactor
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 19 French Fleet of Nuclear Power Plants (2003)
Installed capacity in 2003 63 GWe
Nuclear Electricity Generation ¾ Production : 420 TWh (77,6% of the total power produced)
¾ 58 PWRs + 1 FBR in operation • 34 CP (900 MWe) (20 loaded with 30% MOX) • 24 P4 (1300 MWe) • 4 N4 (1450 MWe) • PHENIX (250 MWe) Phenix
Shutdown NPP (source : RTE - 2004)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 20 Transition scenarios between generations
¾ Generation IV nuclear energy systems for sustainable long term ¾ Important role of LWRs in the 21st century, that will be in operation until the end of the 21st century
7000 0
6000 0 Plant life ext ensi on 5000 0 bey ond 4 0 years
4000 0 Gener ation 4 Existing f leet 3000 0 40- year pl ant life
2000 0
Ge neration 3 + 1000 0
0 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 2055 2060 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 Av erag e p lan t life : 48 y ear s Source : EDF, ENC 2002 Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 21 Transition from Pu mono-recycling in PWRs to Actinide global recycling in fast neutron Gen IV systems
• Mono-recycling of Pu (20 PWRs 900 loaded with 30% MOX) PWR Spent P.F. PUREX Partitioning FP 2°/3°Gen Fuel M. A. • Partitioning and interim storage of MA in order to minimize the U Waste enr amount of Actinides in the U, Pu M.A. ultimate waste • Maximum utilization of existing fuel cycle plants (La Hague, Melox) • Management of Pu stockpile to deploy 4th generation fast neutron systems (> 2035) FR Spent I.T. R.* FP • Recycling of MA from interim storage 4° Gen Fuel U Waste • Integral recycling of Actinides in fast nat neutron 4th systems Actinides • Non Proliferation *I.T.R. : Integrated Treatment & Refabrication
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 22 Grouped Actinide Extraction «GANEX»
SPENT FUEL ACTINIDES to recycle DISSOLUTION
U preliminary U RECOVERY U +Pu+M.A.
EXTRACTION BACK- BACK- An + Ln EXTRACTION An EXTRACTION Ln
FPs. Ln
WASTE
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 23 Perspective for actinides management
2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080
GANEX on Spent LWR Fuels (MOX and UOX)
U Gen 2 Pu LWR Pu(U) Pu recycling Gen 3 in LWRs U LWR ( MOX fuel)
U,Pu,MA Global Actinide Management Recycling of LWR Pu (extraction and recycling) Gen4 and MA in Gen 4 FR in Gen 4 FR FR
GAM (U,Pu,MA)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 24 Analyzed scenarios
¾ Base scenario ¾ 2015 - Mono-recycling of Plutonium as MOX fuel in PWR-900 and in EPR (>2020) Æ Concentration of Pu in Mox fuel
¾ 2020 - 2025 Introduction of Global Actinide Extraction and Treatment of spent MOX fuel to constitute a Plutonium stockpile Æ Light glass : reduced radio-toxicity and heat release Æ Interim storage of grouped [Pu + Np/Am/Cm]
¾ 2035 - Introduction of fast neutron 4th generation systems Æ Recycling in Gen 4 FR of grouped [Pu + Np/Am/Cm] from spent LWR Mox and Uranium fuels Æ Integral recycling in Gen 4 FR of Actinides from Gen 4FR spent fuel
¾ Alternative scenarios in case of postponed deployment of Gen IV systems ¾ 1 – Extension of Pu mono-recycling in PWRs ¾ 2 – Multi-recycling of Pu in PWRs in order to stabilize the Pu stockpile ¾ 3 – Multi-recycling of (Pu+Am) in PWRs to slow down the build-up of (Pu + Am)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 25 Analyzed scenarios
MOX in PWR, then (Pu, Np, Pu + Am multiple recycling Pu Multiple recycling (MOX- Am, Cm, ...) in FNR Gen IV ( Inventories (t) One Pu recycling (MOX-UE + Am) UE) SFR)
2035 2050 2070 2100 2035 2050 2070 2100 2035 2050 2070 2100 2035 2050 2070 2100 Pu (Total) 396 485 600 773 373 402 413 424 384 431 465 486 448 567 682 809 Np 20 31 48 75 18 30 45 69 17 29 45 64 24 31 33 25 Am 51 81 121 179 52 88 135 205 44 52 59 64 53 71 75 63 Cm 4.7 5.3 5.6 6.4 6.3 8.5 9.9 17.4 9.5 16 30 45 4 7 10 18 AM (Total) 76 118 174 260 76 127 190 291 71 97 134 173 82 109 118 106 Am+Cm (Total) 56 86 127 186 58 97 145 222 54 68 89 110 57 78 85 81 TRU total 472 603 774 1033 449 528 603 715 455 528 599 659 530 676 800 915 Pu 313 407 527 698 266 266 276 287 283 276 312 328 397 347 461 401 (outpile) TRU 383 519 696 952 336 384 458 570 338 351 420 480 76 86 96 66 (outpile) %(Am+Cm) 3.6 4.2 4.8 5.3 4.3 7.3 10.5 15.5 3.8 5.0 - 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% for 20% Pu % MOX in N.P. 12% 12% 10% 10% 20% 24% 26% 28% 22% 38% 48% 48% 0% 50% 50% 100% Scenario based on the SFR reactors is slighly breeder, increasing the Pu inventory. The Minor actinides inventory is decreasing at 2100. Some optimisation are needed in order to reduce more efficiently MA inventory.
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 26 Analyzed scenarios - Main technical features (1)
¾Mono-recycling of Pu as Mox fuel in EPR ¾ Fabrication of MOX fuel compatible with MELOX plant ¾ Increasing Pu and (Am + Cm) stockpiles ¾ Possibility to recycle all Actinides in fast neutron systems after ~2080 to be confirmed
¾Multi-recycling of Pu as Mox-UE fuel in EPR ¾ Fabrication of MOX-UE fuel in MELOX with a capacity increased to ~230 t/y ¾ Stabilization of the Pu stockpile (~420 t) and accumulation of (Am + Cm) ¾ Possibility to recycle all Actinides in fast neutron systems after ~2040 to be confirmed
¾Multi-recycling (Pu + Am) as Mox-UE fuel (or Am targets) in EPR ¾ Specific plants needed for the fabrication of fuel or targets with Americium ¾ Moderate growth of Pu & Am stockpiles and accumulation of Cm ¾ Recycling of (Mox-UE + Am) in 45 % of the park or 50-60 % of the park with Am targets ¾ Possibility to recycle all Actinides in fast neutron systems after ~2050 to be confirmed
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 27 Analyzed scenarios - Main technical features (2)
¾ Multiple recycling in PWRs (Pu or Pu+ Am) has a priori little impact on the radio-toxicity of the residual nuclear matters in 2100 if fast neutron systems could finally not be deployed.
Inventories (t) Open Mono-Pu Multi-Pu Multi- cycle Pu + Am
Pu 1020 773 424 486
MA 217 260 291 173
TRU 1237 1033 715 659
Radio-toxicity 1 ~ 0.8 – 0.9 ~ 0.5- 0.8 ~ 0.5- 0.6
¾In case of postponed deployment of fast neutron systems, 2 or 3 recyclings of Pu in PWRs could be envisaged around 2040 and 2060 to stabilize the Pu stockpile. However, there appear few motivations for multi-recycling strategies of (Pu + Am) in PWRs which would require specific fuel cycle plants, which would involve more than 50 % of the park and would produce large amounts of Cm, without stabilizing Pu and Am stockpiles. ¾Furthermore, such strategies would lead to accumulate stockpiles of nuclear matters difficult to recycle, without appreciable gain on the radio-toxicity in comparison with an open fuel cycle. ¾Base scenario (Gen 4 FR in ~ 2035) is the most attractive and sounded
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 28 Transition Gen II/III Î Gen IV : Items to be assessed
Nuclear materials optimization :
• Feasibility of plutonium multi-recycling in LWR
• Feasibility of M.A. temporary storage
• Fuel technologies (design and fabrication) for the M.A. transmutation with fast neutron reactors
• Feasibility of actinides integral recycling in Generation IV fast neutron systems
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 29 Global Actinides Management : 1st conclusions
1. Fast neutron 4th generation systems afford: ¾ to transmute all Actinides they generate, and ¾ to recycle also, to some extent, the Minor Actinides generated by the PWRs, after partitioning and interim storage.
2. The physics of transmutation incites to recycle plutonium and Minor Actinides in 4th generation systems as soon as possible (~2035).
3. In case of postponed 4th generation systems deployment: ¾ future nuclear systems have enough flexibility to recycle the Minor Actinides generated by the LWRs, ¾ however with increasing constraints depending on the time and previous recyclings. From this point of view, 2 to 3 recycles of Plutonium in EPR, to temporarily stabilize the Pu stock-pile, seems possible.
4. Past, present and planned technology demonstrations support the robust scenarios considered for the management of Minor Actinides.
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 30 An alternative route for MA transmutation
• Subcritical Accelerator Driven Systems dedicated to transmute M.A.
High content Economical as part of a M.A. fuels large fleet of reactors
R&D for Sc. & Tech. Open technological feasability issues
Fast spectrum cores, fast reactor technologies
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 31 Conclusion
• Nuclear Energy is competitive and will still improve its profitability
• Nuclear Energy is already safe and reliable ; however new generations will be even safer
• Sustainability objectives to be met in a vision of a large expansion : - nuclear waste minimization - preservation of natural resources - resistance to proliferation - capability to penetrate new markets - capability to target new applications Æ Closed Cycles and Fast Reactors are the appropriate answer
• Innovative technologies and international cooperation are the
Source EDF pillars of sustainable nuclear development
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 32