Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 1
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 BouchardHead of the Nuclear Energy Division
French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)[email protected]
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 2
Why should Nuclear Energy play a major role ?
•• PromisingPromising assetsassetsto to produceproduce HydrogenHydrogen
•• No CO2 No CO2 emissionsemissions andand nonocontribution to Global contribution to Global WarmingWarming
•• EnhancesEnhances thethe energyenergy supplysupply securitysecurity
•• SafetySafety improvementsimprovements in 3rd in 3rd GenGenreactorsreactors are are alreadyalready significantsignificant
•• An An alreadyalready competitivecompetitive energyenergysourcesource
CO2 emissions in 2001 / GDP
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 3
tC/1000 US$
0,00
0,05
0,10
0,15
0,20
0,25
Czech
Rep
ublic
Poland
Austra
lia
Slovak
Rep
ublic
South
Korea
United
Stat
esCan
ada
Greece
Finland
Hunga
ryTurke
yBelg
iumGerm
any
Mexico
Netherl
ands
New Zea
land
Luxe
mbourg
United
King
dom
Irelan
dSpa
inDen
markJa
pan
Portug
alAus
tria Italy
Norway
Franc
eIce
land
Sweden
Switzerl
and
Total O
CDE
France : 27th /30
Source : AIE/OCDE, 2000
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 4
Sustainable Development Vision Scenario (IEA 2003)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Wor
ld P
rimar
yE
nerg
yS
ourc
es (G
toe)
6
6,5
7
7,5
8
8,5
9
Wor
ld P
opul
atio
n (B
illio
ns)
Other RenewablesBiomassNuclearGasOilCoalPopulation
Source IEA : Energy to 2050 -Scenarios for a Sustainable Future
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 5
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 heartof Europe’s energy mix »European Parliament resolution, Novembre 2001
The Evolution of Nuclear Power
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 6
Advanced Advanced ReactorsReactorsCurrent Current
ReactorsReactors
Generation I
Generation II
1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 2050 2070 2090
Generation III
FirstFirstReactorsReactors
UNGGCHOOZ
REP 900 REP 1300
N4 EPR
Future Future SystemsSystems
Generation IV
?
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 7
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 8
Nuclear Energy assets for a worlwide development
Nuclear Energy :• A « zero-carbon »
emitting source
• Economically viablePossible high future ?
Nuclear Energy should play a major role in the next 50 years
But what challenges do we envision for a large expansion of Nuclear Power ?
Source : EIA, 2002
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 9
Significant prospects for nuclear energy deployment in the world
USA + 1500 Power Plants
by 2020 includingnuclear (+ 50 GWe ?)
FINLAND 5th reactor
Source : TotalFinaElf0%
20%
40%
60%
1900 1950 2000 2050
Coal R en
Oil
Gas
HydroNuclear
KOREAnuclear capacity
increase + 9 GWeby ~ 2015
INDIA nuclear capacity
increase from 2.5 to 20 GWe by 2020
JAPAN nuclear capacity
increase + 12 GWeby 2012
CHINA + 400 GWe
including + 30 GWeof nuclear capacity
by 2020BRAZIL
Nuclear ProgramRevival
Existing Gen II Reactors : an irreplaceable experience
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 10
An irreplaceable experience :17% of worlwide electricity generation
from nuclear power
more than 10 000 year.reactors of experience
~ 355 LWRs corresponding to 80% of theworld nuclear fleet (90% of the power produced)
To reinforce current results :Demonstrate, « prove » the safety of
NPPs and Fuel Cycle facilities
Still improve Nuclear Energy competitiveness
LIGHT WATER REACTORS WILL REMAIN
PREDOMINANT DURING THE FIRST HALF
OF THIS CENTURY
Civaux
Gen II : A nuclear power fleet that will need to be replaced
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 11
Operational NPPs Mean age
Country Nb Reactors Mean Age
United States 104 28 years
France 58 18 years
Japan 53 18 years
UnitedKingdom
31 29 years
Sweden 11 24 years
Germany 19 22 years
Belgium 7 23 years
China 7 5 years
Finland 4 23 years
Gen III : a mature technology for near term deployment
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 12
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 ReactorsABWR 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 ReactorsGT-MHR, PBMR
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 13
Gen III : significant improvements in safety
Le Le projetprojet EPREPR
Core meltspreading area
Double-wall containmentwith ventilation and filtration system
Containmentheat removalsystem
Four-trainredundancyfor main safeguardsystems
Inner refuelingwater storage tank
EPR
Le Le projetprojet EPREPR
Core meltspreading area
Double-wall containmentwith ventilation and filtration system
Containmentheat removalsystem
Four-trainredundancyfor main safeguardsystems
Inner refuelingwater storage tank
Inner refuelingwater storage tank
EPR•• lessless wastewaste / kWh/ kWh•• higherhigher Pu Pu consumptionconsumption•• higherhigher resourcesresources savingssavings•• more more competitivecompetitive
AndAnd alsoalso otherother improvementsimprovements ::
Significant R&D efforts performed at CEA
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 14
ExampleExample : : severesevere accidents for EPRaccidents for EPR
10001000 tests
CATHARE : logiciel de thermohydraulique accidentelle pour la gestion des accidents de dimensionnement
VULCANO : dispositif d’essais et coulée de Corium
Gen III : An improved back-end of the Fuel Cycle
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 15
EPR, an EPR, an increasedincreased flexibilityflexibility for MOX use in for MOX use in reactorsreactors,,plutonium plutonium recyclingrecycling scenariosscenarios studiedstudied atat CEACEA
Plutonium annual balanceKg Pu/year
REP 900 UO2 : + 200
REP 900 MOX : 0
EPR 100% MOX : - 670
100% MOX Core
MOXUOXGrappe de contrôle et d’arrêt d’urgence EPRREP 900
An enhanced capacity to burnPlutonium
Enhanced ability for plutonium multi-recycling
GEN IV : paves the way for a sustainable nuclear energy
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 16
• Concepts with breakthroughsMinimization of wastesPreservation of resources
New requirements for sustainable nuclear energy• Gradual improvements in :
CompetitivenessSafety and reliability
Resistance to Proliferation
New applications :hydrogen productionwater desalinationdirect use of heat
Penetration of new markets :emerging countriessmall countries
Génération IVInternational
Forum Members
Génération IVInternational
Forum Members
U.S.A.U.S.A.
ArgentinaArgentina
BrazilBrazil
CanadaCanadaFranceFrance
JapanJapan
South AfricaSouth Africa
UnitedUnitedKingdomKingdom
E.U.E.U.
SwitzerlSwitzerlandand
South KoreaSouth Korea
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 17
Closed Fuel Cycles and Fast Reactors : minimize radiotoxicity
Plutonium recycling
Spent FuelNo reprocesisng
Uranium Ore (mine)
Time (years)
Rel
ativ
e ra
dio
toxi
city
P&T of MA
Pu +MA +FP
MA +FP
FP
Unat
Actinides
Spentfuel
Vitrified Waste
FP
GEN IV FR
Treatment and
Re- fabricationI.T.R.*
* : Integrated Treatment and Refabrication
Benefits of Advanced fuel Cycles :•• A A drasticdrastic minimizationminimization ofof ultimateultimate
wastewaste ::- volume, radiotoxicity, heat reduction
•• ResourcesResources preservationpreservation•• EnhancedEnhanced resistanceresistance to to proliferationproliferation
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 18
GEN IV : Gas Cooled Reactors
VHTR
GFR
HTR
Fast neutronsFull Actinide recycling
Hydrogen production
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 19
Capability to target new applications
NuclearNuclear energyenergy willwill bebe essential for :essential for :• Electrical power generation
… but … but alsoalso for new applications :for new applications :• Hydrogen production• Direct use of Heat• Sea water desalination
Nuclear HeatNuclear HeatHydrogenHydrogen OxygenOxygen
H2O22
1
900 C400 C
Rejected Heat 100 C
Rejected Heat 100 C
S (Sulfur)Circulation
SO2+H2O+O22
1H2SO4
SO2+
H2OH2O
H2
I2
+ 2HI
H2SO4
SO2+H2OH2O
+
+ +
I (Iodine)Circulation
2H I
I2
I2
WaterWater
Nuclear HeatNuclear HeatHydrogenHydrogen OxygenOxygen
H2O22
1 O22121
900 C400 C
Rejected Heat 100 C
Rejected Heat 100 C
S (Sulfur)Circulation
SO2+H2O+O22
1H2SO4
SO2+
H2OH2O
H2
I2
+ 2HI
H2SO4
SO2+H2OH2O
+
+ +
I (Iodine)Circulation
2H I
I2
I2
WaterWater
Very High Temperature Reactor
Fuel Cell Prototypevehicle
(hydrogen)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 20
French Fleet of Nuclear Power Plants (2003)
Installed capacity in 200363 GWe
Nuclear Electricity GenerationProduction : 420 TWh
(77,6% of the total power produced)
58 PWRs + 1 FBR in operation
• 34 CP (900 MWe) (20 loadedwith 30% MOX)
• 24 P4 (1300 MWe)
• 4 N4 (1450 MWe)
• PHENIX (250 MWe)
(source : RTE - 2004)Shutdown NPP
Phenix
Transition scenarios between generations
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 21
Generation 3+
Generation 4Existing fleet40-year plant life
Plant life extension beyond 40 years
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
2055
2060
Average plant life : 48 years Source : EDF, ENC 2002
Generation IV nuclear energy systems for sustainable long termImportant role of LWRs in the 21st century, that will be in operation until the end of the 21st century
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 22
Waste
PWR2°/3°Gen PUREX
U, Pu
FP SpentFuel
Uenr
PartitioningP.F.M.A.
Waste
PWR2°/3°Gen
PWR2°/3°Gen PUREX
U, Pu
FP SpentFuel
Uenr
PartitioningP.F.M.A.
M.A.
Transition from Pu mono-recycling in PWRs to Actinide global recycling in fast neutron Gen IV systems
Unat
I.T. R.*
Actinides
*I.T.R. : Integrated Treatment & Refabrication
FR4° Gen FP
Waste
SpentFuel
Unat
I.T. R.*
Actinides
*I.T.R. : Integrated Treatment & Refabrication
FR4° Gen
FR4° Gen FP
Waste
SpentFuel
• Mono-recycling of Pu (20 PWRs900 loaded with 30% MOX)
• Partitioning and interim storage of MA in order to minimize the amount of Actinides in the ultimate waste
• Maximum utilization of existing fuel cycle plants (La Hague, Melox)
• Management of Pu stockpile to deploy 4th generation fast neutron systems (> 2035)
• Recycling of MA from interim storage
• Integral recycling of Actinides in fast neutron 4th systems
• Non Proliferation
Grouped Actinide Extraction «GANEX»
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 23
FPs.
DISSOLUTION
SPENT FUEL
U preliminary RECOVERY
U
U +Pu+M.A.
EXTRACTIONAn + Ln
BACK-EXTRACTION An
BACK-EXTRACTION Ln
Ln
WASTE
ACTINIDESto recycle
Perspective for actinides management
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 24
2020 2030 2040 205020102000 2060 2070 2080
Gen4FR
U
GAM (U,Pu,MA)
Pu(U)
Gen 2LWR
UPu
Gen 3LWR
U,Pu,MA
GANEXon Spent LWR Fuels
(MOX and UOX)
Pu recyclingin LWRs
( MOX fuel)
Global Actinide Management(extraction and recycling)
in Gen 4 FRRecycling of LWR Puand MA in Gen 4 FR
Analyzed scenarios
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 25
Base scenario2015 - Mono-recycling of Plutonium as MOX fuel in PWR-900 and in EPR (>2020)
Concentration of Pu in Mox fuel
2020 - 2025 Introduction of Global Actinide Extraction and Treatment of spent MOX fuel to constitute a Plutonium stockpile
Light glass : reduced radio-toxicity and heat releaseInterim storage of grouped [Pu + Np/Am/Cm]
2035 - Introduction of fast neutron 4th generation systemsRecycling in Gen 4 FR of grouped [Pu + Np/Am/Cm] from spent LWR Mox and Uranium fuelsIntegral recycling in Gen 4 FR of Actinides from Gen 4FR spent fuel
Alternative scenarios in case of postponed deployment of Gen IV systems1 – Extension of Pu mono-recycling in PWRs2 – Multi-recycling of Pu in PWRs in order to stabilize the Pu stockpile3 – Multi-recycling of (Pu+Am) in PWRs to slow down the build-up of (Pu + Am)
Analyzed scenarios
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 26
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.
Inventories (t)
One Pu recycling Pu Multiple recycling (MOX-
UE)
Pu + Am multiple recycling (MOX-UE + Am)
MOX in PWR, then (Pu, Np, Am, Cm, ...) in FNR Gen IV ( 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 (outpile) 313 407 527 698 266 266 276 287 283 276 312 328 397 347 461 401
TRU (outpile) 383 519 696 952 336 384 458 570 338 351 420 480 76 86 96 66
%(Am+Cm) for 20% Pu 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%
% MOX in N.P. 12% 12% 10% 10% 20% 24% 26% 28% 22% 38% 48% 48% 0% 50% 50% 100%
Analyzed scenarios - Main technical features (1)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 27
Mono-recycling of Pu as Mox fuel in EPRFabrication of MOX fuel compatible with MELOX plantIncreasing Pu and (Am + Cm) stockpilesPossibility to recycle all Actinides in fast neutron systems after ~2080 to be confirmed
Multi-recycling of Pu as Mox-UE fuel in EPRFabrication of MOX-UE fuel in MELOX with a capacity increased to ~230 t/yStabilization of the Pu stockpile (~420 t) and accumulation of (Am + Cm)Possibility to recycle all Actinides in fast neutron systems after ~2040 to be confirmed
Multi-recycling (Pu + Am) as Mox-UE fuel (or Am targets) in EPRSpecific plants needed for the fabrication of fuel or targets with AmericiumModerate growth of Pu & Am stockpiles and accumulation of Cm Recycling of (Mox-UE + Am) in 45 % of the park or 50-60 % of the park with Am targetsPossibility to recycle all Actinides in fast neutron systems after ~2050 to be confirmed
Analyzed scenarios - Main technical features (2)
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 28
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 cycle
Mono-Pu Multi-Pu Multi-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
In case of postponed deployment of fast neutron systems, 2 or 3 recyclings of Pu in PWRscould 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.
Furthermore, 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.
Base scenario (Gen 4 FR in ~ 2035) is the most attractive and sounded
Transition Gen II/III Gen IV : Items to be assessed
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 29
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 IVfast neutron systems
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 30
Global Actinides Management : 1st conclusions
1. Fast neutron 4th generation systems afford:to transmute all Actinides they generate, andto recycle also, to some extent, the Minor Actinides generatedby 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:future nuclear systems have enough flexibility to recycle the Minor Actinides generated by the LWRs,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 31
An alternative route for MA transmutation
•• SubcriticalSubcritical AcceleratorAccelerator DrivenDriven SystemsSystems ddedicatededicated to to transmute M.A.transmute M.A.
High content
M.A. fuels Economical as part of a large fleet of reactors
R&D for Sc. & Tech. feasability
Fast spectrum cores, fast reactortechnologies
Open technologicalissues
Nuclear Energy Division FJOH Summer School, Aug. 27, 2004 32
Conclusion
• Nuclear Energy is competitive and will still improve its profitability
• Nuclear Energy is already safe and reliable ; however new generationswill 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
Closed Cycles and Fast Reactors are the appropriate answer
• Innovative technologies and international cooperation are thepillars of sustainable nuclear developmentSource EDF