Evaluation of fire and explosion hazards in typical nuclear recycling plants

Nuclear recycling is crucial part for the closing of nuclear fuel cycle. Reprocessing and consequent waste management allows separation and concentration of the fission products for safe disposal in the near surface disposal facilities. It facilitates recovery and recycling of the unused nuclear fuel as well as bred nuclear materials to the nuclear reactor for further production of power. Reprocessing ensures the achievement of maximum energy extraction by increasing the fissile atom burn up and maximum resource utilization. Fire safety evaluation in fuel cycle and reprocessing plants is very much important because these plants handle huge quantity of radioactive materials. In case of accidental fire in these plants, in addition to destruction and devastation at site, radioactive contamination can also spread.