Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy

National Nuclear Laboratory

Part I: Introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle

Chapter 1: Nuclear power: origins and outlook

Abstract:

1.1 The rise of nuclear power: 1938 to 1970

1.2 The fall: 1970 to the mid-1990s

1.3 The resurgence: the mid-1990s to the present day

1.4 Future trends

Chapter 2: Radiological protection and the nuclear fuel cycle

Abstract:

2.1 Introduction

2.2 The international system of radiological protection

2.3 International safety standards

2.4 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety requirements and guidance for radiation protection

2.5 Radiation protection in the nuclear fuel cycle

2.6 Conclusions and future trends

2.8 Appendix: Requirements of the International Basic Safety Standards relevant to radiological safety in the nuclear fuel cycle

Chapter 3: Safeguards, security, safety and the nuclear fuel cycle

Abstract:

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Nuclear safeguards

3.3 Nuclear security

3.4 Nuclear safety

3.5 Conclusion and future trends

3.6 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 4: Public acceptability of nuclear technology

Abstract:

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Historical background

4.3 Investigating determinants of acceptability of nuclear technology

4.4 Beyond an instrumental approach to public acceptability

4.5 Future trends

Chapter 5: The economics of nuclear power

Abstract:

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Levelised cost of electricity (LCOE)

5.3 Financing of NPPs

5.4 Conclusions

5.5 Future trends

Part II: Uranium and thorium nuclear fuel cycles: materials mining, enrichment and fuel element design and fabrication

Chapter 6: Mining and milling of uranium

Abstract:

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Uranium mining and milling

6.3 World uranium mines

6.4 Environmental and social impacts

6.5 Secondary sources of uranium

6.6 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 7: Uranium conversion and enrichment

Abstract:

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Uranium hexafluoride

7.3 Conversion

7.4 Enrichment

7.5 Uranium hexafluoride quality, sampling and analysis

7.6 Tails management

7.7 Transport cylinder management

7.8 Nuclear safeguards

7.9 Future trends

Chapter 8: Development of the thorium fuel cycle

Abstract:

8.1 Reasons for considering the thorium cycle

8.2 History and development of the thorium fuel cycle

8.3 Key technological features of the thorium fuel cycle and industrial challenges

8.4 Generic issues linked to the deployment of the thorium fuel cycle

8.5 Conclusion

Chapter 9: Nuclear fuel assembly design and fabrication

Abstract:

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Principal design features of LWR fuel assemblies

9.3 Basic reactor physics affecting fuel assembly design

9.4 Fuel rod design and fabrication

9.5 Fuel forms

9.6 Factors affecting fuel rod endurance

9.7 Future trends

9.8 Sources of further information

Part III: Impact of nuclear reactor design and operation on fuel element irradiation

Chapter 10: Water cooled thermal reactor designs, operation and fuel cycle

Abstract:

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Main characteristic of LWRs

10.3 Pressurised water reactor (PWR) design features

10.4 Factors affecting reactivity and their impact on PWR reactor design

10.5 PWR core design

10.6 Boiling water reactor (BWR) design features

10.7 Factors affecting reactivity and their impact on BWR reactor design

10.8 BWR core and fuel assembly design

10.9 Safety features and issues

10.10 Advantage