Some Strategic Considerations on the Developmentof Advance Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies in China

The characteristics of the of different fuel cycle options are analyzed from the view point of sustainable development of nuclear fission energy. It is pointed out that the “once-through” option of fuel cycle does not comply with the sustainability of the nuclear energy development. For the sake of full utilization of uranium resources and the minimization of nuclear waste, the closed fuel cycle of fast breeder reactor is the fundamental way out for the sustainable development of nuclear fission energy. Based on the wide investigations on the present status and R&D trends of the key technologies of fuel cycle both at home and abroad, the strategy for developing China’s fuel cycle technologies is explored, some important measures to be taken for achieving the above strategic goal are suggested