Burning plutonium and minimizing radioactive waste in existing PWRs

Plutonium and other long-lived radioactive actinides are produced in light-water reactors (LWRs) using conventional fuel. “Innovative” fuel matrices may reduce the breeding of these nuclides. However, essential LWR safety features have to be preserved, which restricts the possibilities for new fuel-carrying matrices. Respective fuel assembly and LWR core safety studies indicate practicable new fuel options for the near future.