Selection of an Optimal Nuclear Fuel Cycle Scenario by Goal Programming and the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract

The front-end fuel cycle from mining to enrichment has reached maturity. Unlike the front-end fuel cycle, there are several pathways in the back-end fuel cycle. The long-term consequences of any decision for the backend fuel cycle requires some sophisticated decision making tools. Various kinds of factors should be taken into consideration for the decision. In this study the Goal Programming Method in combination with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied in the decision making process. For the treatment of tangible factors Goal Programming is used and for intangible factors AHP is used for quantification. A computer code was developed to combine both methods in the treatment of two different kinds of factors and to obtain a solution for the most optimal fuel cycle in Korea. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.