(A) study on attractiveness evaluation for PWR based potential nuclear materials using figure of merit methodology

Abstract

Given the rise in the demand for nuclear power and the complaint over inequality in the international nonproliferation regime, the need for examining the issue of proliferation resistance of different nuclear fuel cycles is noticed. Accordingly, this thesis attempted to evaluate proliferation resistance of different fuel cycle approached mainly from the nuclear material attractiveness perspective. The most common options of fuel cycle for spent fuel management, i.e., the open and the modified open cycles using PWR were compared in this study. The spent fuels from these cycles with variations of characteristics were evaluated using the FOM formula for various burn-ups and cooling times of the target materials. Based on the comparisons of the results of FOM evaluations, policy implications were also analyzed in terms of nuclear non-proliferation. In addition, potential problems in the use of the current FOM formula were identified while suggesting adjustments to the FOM formula to overcome these problems.