Nuclear fuel cycle science and engineering

The nuclear fuel cycle is characterized 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. The contributors and editors provide a comprehensive and holistic review of the complete nuclear fuel cycle and describe both key features and the wealth of recent research in this important field. The opening sections review the issues presented by the nuclear fuel cycle - from radiological protection and security, to public acceptance and economic analysis – and the front-end of the fuel cycle, including uranium and thorium mining, enrichment and fuel design and fabrication. The final sections review both the impact of reactor design on fuel irradiation, and the options available for spent fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste management, including storage, transportation and disposal.