Articles & Issues
- Language
- English
- Conflict of Interest
- In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
- Publication history
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Received March 31, 2024
Accepted August 20, 2024
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This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits
unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
All issues
Technical Overview of Pyro-processing and Policy Considerations
Abstract
Pyro-processing is an emerging technology crucial to the implementation of a closed nuclear fuel cycle. It is distinguished
by its method of extracting and recycling actinides from fi ssion products in spent nuclear fuels, utilizing high-temperature
molten salt media. Despite its promise, the technology poses proliferation concerns that underscores the imperative for
robust safeguards. While the safeguarding framework for aqueous reprocessing facilities that has been established over decades
off ers a foundational reference, the unique challenges posed by Pyro-processing necessitate a tailored approach. Amid
these concerns, Pyro-processing is heralded as a viable strategy for nuclear waste management, with research increasingly
focusing on its selectivity and effi cacy within molten salt systems. This paper scrutinizes the proliferation risks inherent in
Pyro-processing, delineates the requisite safeguards, and evaluates the feasibility of Pyro-processing, especially within the
purview of the 123 Agreements between the United States and South Korea.
