nuclear-news

Japan’s fast breeder nuclear reactor plans are dangerous

Japan must take cautious approach toward use of nuclear fuel (Mainichi Daily News,  editorial,  Japan) November 6, 2009 At the present moment, the unresolved problems surrounding the nuclear fuel cycle touted by the Japanese government as a major pillar of its nuclear energy policy far outweigh its benefits.
As a contributing player in achieving such a nuclear fuel chain, Japan’s first so-called “pluthermal” fuel reactor began operations on Thursday at the No. 3 reactor at the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture. Pluthermal generation involves burning MOX fuel — made by blending plutonium extracted from spent fuel with uranium — in standard light-water reactors……………..

The ultimate objective of Japan’s nuclear fuel cycle is the use of fast-breeder reactors using plutonium extracted from spent nuclear fuel that has been reprocessed…………….However, fast-breeder reactors and reprocessing plants — crucial to Japan’s envisioned nuclear fuel cycle — have been met with numerous stumbling blocks, and their future remains unclear.

Operations at the Monju fast-breeder reactor in Fukui Prefecture have been at a halt since a 1995 accident involving sodium coolant leaks. A series of problems since its reconstruction have significantly pushed back plans to reopen the plant. Various obstacles surrounding the Rokkasho reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture have also postponed the plant’s completion…………..

rods that are used to control fission in emergencies are said to be less effective than they are when using standard sources of fuel, requiring stricter safety measures……………….

One incident at any one plant, however, could affect operations nationwide. To start reprocessing of spent fuels under such circumstances means that there is a possibility that we will end up with an additional surplus of plutonium. There is no doubt that the selection of final disposal sites for the high-level radioactive waste that will remain after reprocessing will be no easy task.

Japan must take cautious approach toward use of nuclear fuel – The Mainichi Daily News

November 7, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Japan, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive