WPFC Expert Group on Chemical Partitioning (WPFC/CP)
Background
Under the guidance of the Nuclear Science Committee (NSC) and under the mandate of the Working Party on Scientific Issues of the Fuel Cycle (WPFC),
the Expert Group will be focused on separations processes relevant to partitioning and transmutation (P&T) systems, incorporating members of the former WPFC flowsheet studies working group and separations criteria working group, and
will develop the results of former working groups to produce final reports.
Objective
The Expert Group will:
Perform following technical assessments of separations processes in application to a limited set of P&T operating scenarios;
clarification of fuel cycle scenarios and fuel types,
development of mass balance flowsheet including waste quantities and nature,
technological maturity assessment.
Forge common understandings on separations criteria in order to;
develop a basis for optimisation of the use of future nuclear waste repositories,
establish a methodology for evaluating the repository impacts of various existing and advanced fuel cycle scenarios,
explore design bases for future reprocessing plants, following the methodology adjusted for national conditions
Recommend collaborative international efforts to further technology development.
Scope
The Expert Group will study:
Flowsheets of aqueous and pyrochemical reprocessing processes mainly for;
Oxide fuel for thermal and/or fast reactors.
Coated-particle fuel (oxide and oxycarbide).
Metallic fuel for fast reactors.
Nitride fuel for fast reactors or ADS.
Curium separation and management;
Curium management (transmutation with americium, left with fission products or interim storage).
Curium separation methods.
Curium storage and disposal requirements.
Handling experience in each country.
Meetings
12th meeting (11-12 October 2011, NEA HQ, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France)
11th meeting (14-15 March 2011, NEA HQ, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France)
10th meeting (19-20 April 2010, NEA HQ, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France)
9th meeting (4 September 2009, NEA HQ, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France)
8th meeting (21-22 April 2009, OECD HQ, Paris, France)
7th meeting (4-5 November 2008, OECD HQ, Paris, France)
7th meeting (4-5 November 2008, OECD HQ, Paris, France)
6th meeting (16 May 2008, Montpellier, France)
5th meeting (14 September 2007, Boise, USA)
4th meeting (20-21 March 2007, NEA HQ, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France)