The Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Role of Accessory Minerals in Problem Solving

Gregory R. Lumpkin (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, Sydney)

The production of electricity using nuclear reactors has been in existence for approximately 60 years with some success (and failure) in supplying clean energy to power grids. Nuclear energy is underpinned by a fuel cycle, beginning with the mining of uranium, production of fuel, “burning” of fuel in reactors to produce electricity, and reprocessing of spent fuel in order to remove waste and produce new fuel to be used again.

Accessory minerals have played an important role in research and development activities related to this cycle, primarily in the area of nuclear waste disposal. In this presentation, we will mainly examine minerals as “natural analogues” for spent fuel and the production of nuclear waste forms for the safe disposal of waste in geological repositories. Other topics, including advanced fuels and thorium energy, will be briefly addressed.

Talk in ENGLISH

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