Assessment of fuel cycle proliferation resistance dynamics using coupled isotopic characterization

A method for the assessment of intrinsic proliferation resistance (PR) in a variety of nuclear fuel cycle systems as a dynamic quantity is described in this paper. This method is based upon the direct coupling of a code for nuclear fuel isotopic characterization (ORIGEN-S) to a model for proliferation resistance, based upon a generalized fuel cycle model. The resulting coupled model is applied to evaluate PR as a dynamic system property as a function of three fuel cycle categories: open cycles, a “modified open cycle” (MOC) consisting of limited actinide recycle, and a fully closed cycle. Proliferation resistance is evaluated along several key operational parameters of the chosen fuel cycles, including fuel burnup and actinide separation strategies (including uranium and minor actinide co-extraction). For purposes of demonstration, a PR model developed at NC State shall be used for fuel cycle PR evaluation; the mechanics of this model will be presented in brief.

Research Highlights
► Isotopic characterization can be coupled with fuel cycle proliferation resistance assessment.
► Coupling isotopic analysis affords evaluation of PR as a function of high-level system parameters.
► Fuel cycle parameters such as burnup can have substantial effects upon proliferation resistance.
► “Cascading” isotopic changes show the greatest impacts on system proliferation resistance.