Partitioning and Transmutation of Minor Actinides and Fission Products

Partitioning and transmutation (P&T) is one of the key technologies for reducing the radiotoxicity and volume of radioactive waste produced. Recent developments indicate the need for embedding P&T strategies into advanced fuel cycles considering both waste management and economic issues. The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is organising a series of biennial Information Exchange Meetings on Actinide and Fission Product Partitioning and Transmutation to provide experts with a forum to present and discuss the developments in the field of P&T. The scope of the information exchange meetings covers all of the major scientific topics related to P&T.

The P&T project is one example of horizontal activity within the Agency, involving several Divisions and Committees. Apart from the NEA Committee for Technical and Economic Studies on Nuclear Energy Development and Fuel Cycle (NDC) and the Nuclear Science Committee (NSC), the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) is involved in the project and informed of its outcome as the potential application of P&T would impact on waste management and disposal not eliminating the need for geological disposal of high-level waste but reducing the radiotoxic inventory to be disposed of. Also, whenever relevant, the NEA co-operates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC-FP7) on specific topics of interest to both agencies.

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Last reviewed: 2 November 2017