http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/904173242

Fuel cycle cost studies fabrication, reprocessing, and refabrication of LWR, SSCR, HWR, LMFBR, and HTGR fuels

The comparative analysis of power generation costs for the various reactor cycles that is being performed in the Nonproliferation Alternative Systems Assessment Program (NASAP) and the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE) requires that the costs associated with processing of fuel materials for use in these cycles be estimated. The study described here provided unit cost estimates for the fabrication, reprocessing, and refabrication of a variety of fuels for several reactor systems. We examined in detail the facility requirements and operations to estimate capital and operating costs. Unit processing cost determinations were based on a cash flow analysis technique in which income from sales over the life of each facility was equated to the total capital and operating expenses of that facility plus a specified return on equity investment. The effects of plant capacities were determined by application of scaling factors to individual components of the reference plant costs. Capital and operating costs were estimated for 21 reactor and fuel cycle combinations. Based on these estimates, unit costs were determined for fabrication, reprocessing, and refabrication of the fuels. In each instance, the effect of plant capacities on unit costs associated with the processing of fuels was determined. All costs were based on mature industries, and first-of-a-kind costs were not included. Unit cost determinations were based on three financing techniques, which included government financing, typical industrial financing, and high-risk industrial financing. The unit costs recommended for the comparative analysis of power generation costs are those associaated with the economic assumptions of a typical industry.

Open All Close All