Strategy for the management of used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste of small water-water modular reactors

Abstract

Based on the strategy of Ukraine in the energy industry for the period until 2035, advanced reactor technologies should be chosen for construction of new nuclear power units to replace the nuclear power plants that will be decommissioned. Currently, high-capacity water-water reactors AP1000 and small modular reactors NuScale -iPWR and/or SMR-160, which are highly secure and cost-effective, are considered promising. Among a number of criteria for the selection of nuclear power plant reactor technologies, the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, which directly affect radiation and environmental safety and all stages of the existing nuclear fuel cycle in Ukraine, is of great importance. Based on published data, the author analysed and summarized prospects of development of water-water SMR technologies (NuScale -iPWR and SMR-160), their advantages and disadvantages, the evaluation criteria of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste generated during operation and decommissioning of reactors, and problems of waste disposal.