Nuclear Fuel Cycle Science and Engineering: (37 Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)

The nuclear fuel cycle is characterised by the wide range of scientific disciplines and technologies it employs. The development of ever more integrated processes across the many stages of the nuclear fuel cycle therefore confronts plant manufacturers and operators with formidable challenges. Nuclear fuel cycle science and engineering describes both the key features of the complete nuclear fuel cycle and the wealth of recent research in this important field. Part one provides an introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle. Radiological protection, security and public acceptance of nuclear technology are considered, along with the economics of nuclear power. Part two goes on to explore materials mining, enrichment, fuel element design and fabrication for the uranium and thorium nuclear fuel cycle. The impact of nuclear reactor design and operation on fuel element irradiation is the focus of part three, including water and gas-cooled reactors, along with CANDU and Generation IV designs. Finally, part four reviews spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Nuclear fuel cycle science and engineering provides an important review for all those involved in the design, fabrication, use and disposal of nuclear fuels as well as regulatory bodies and researchers in this field.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle: Nuclear power: Origins and outlook; Radiological protection in the nuclear fuel cycle; Safeguards, security and safety in the nuclear fuel cycle: The 3S concept; Public acceptability of nuclear technology; The economics of nuclear power. Part 2 Uranium and thorium nuclear fuel cycle: Materials mining, enrichment and fuel element design and fabrication: Mining and milling of uranium; Uranium conversion and enrichment for nuclear power generation; Development of the thorium fuel cycle; Nuclear fuel assembly design and fabrication. Part 3 Impact of nuclear reactor design and operation on fuel element irradiation: Water cooled thermal reactor designs, operation and fuel cycle; CANDU nuclear reactor designs, operation and fuel cycle; Gas-cooled nuclear reactor designs, operation and fuel cycle; Generation IV nuclear reactor designs, operation and fuel cycle; Understanding and modelling fuel behaviour under irradiation. Part 4 Spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management: Management of spent nuclear fuel from power reactors; Reprocessing of spent oxide fuel from nuclear power reactors; Partitioning and transmutation of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste; Disposal of radioactive waste; Packaging and transport of radioactive material in the nuclear fuel cycle.

About the Author :
Dr Ian Crossland is the Director of Crossland Consulting Ltd. Dr Crossland has over 40 years experience in the UK nuclear power industry. He is an independent consultant for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as several national radioactive waste management bodies in Europe.