Exploring the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Highlights and Innovations

Authors

  • Marcus Vinicius Araujo Vieira Instituto Militar de Engenharia
  • Pereira, G. S. Instituto Militar de Engenharia
  • Garbim, F.M. Instituto Militar de Engenharia
  • Bandeira, J.N.C Instituto Militar de Engenharia
  • Ribeiro, F.C Instituto Militar de Engenharia
  • Dr. Fernando M. Araújo Moreira Instituto Militar de Engenharia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2508

Keywords:

nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear energy generation, uranium

Abstract

The paper thoroughly covers the nuclear fuel cycle, a complex and vital process in energy generation through uranium fission. The cycle comprises various stages, from uranium extraction and processing to its use as fuel material in nuclear reactors. This work primarily aims to highlight the peculiarities and innovations of the nuclear fuel cycle in the Brazilian context, seeking to promote academic and commercial interest and drive research and investments in this strategic area. The research conducted to underpin this work was comprehensive, involving literature reviews, technical visits, and discussions with specialized professionals. The conclusion emphasizes the relevance of the nuclear fuel cycle and how this work intends to highlight its specificities, underscoring the importance of this cycle for Brazil as a source of clean and safe energy generation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Betzler, B. R., Ade B. J., Wysocki A. J., et al. “Advanced manufacturing for nuclear core design’’. EPJ Web of Conferences (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2172/1658005

China’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle - World Nuclear Association. Available at: <https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/china-nuclear-fuel-cycle>. Acessed on : 25 Jul. 2024.

Goddard, D. T. et al. Progress in the development of high density fuels for enhanced accident tolerance. Topfuel Reactor Fuel Performance, 2018.

INDÚSTRIAS NUCLEARES DO BRASIL (INB). Available at :< https://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/5464/5464_3.PDF>. Acessed on: 16 Oct. 2023.

France, Japan to cooperate on MOX fuel recycling studies - World Nuclear News. Available at: < https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/France,-Japan-to-cooperate-on-MOX-fuel-recycling-s >. Acessed on : 25 Jul. 2024.

NACIONAL DE ENERGIA, P. 7 Geração Termonuclear. [s.l: s.n.]. Available at: <https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-165/topico-173/PNE%202030%20-%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Termonuclear.pdf>. Acessed on: 15 Oct. 2023.

Clifford, C. Russia dominates nuclear power supply chains — and the West needs to prepare now to be independent in the future. Available at: <https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/23/russia-dominates-global-nuclear-reactor-and-fuel-supply-chains.html >. Acessed on: 25 Jul. 2024.

Cotton, S. Escola. Uranium Hexafluoride - UF6. 2020. Uppingham School, Rutland, UK. Available at:<https://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/uf6/uf6j.htm>. Acessed on : 16 Oct. 2023.

Energia nuclear acrescenta R$ 2 bi ao PIB a cada R$ 1 bi investido, diz FGV. Available at: <https://epbr.com.br/energia-nuclear-acrescenta-r-2-bi-ao-pib-a-cada-r-1-bi-investido-diz-fgv/>. Acessed on: 26 Jul. 2024.

GUIZZO, E. How Brazil spun the atom. Avalaible at: <https://spectrum.ieee.org/how-brazilspun-the-atom>. Acessed on: 15 Oct. 2023;

HOFBECK, S. et al. Additive manufacturing paves the way to enhanced performance of framatome fuel assemblies. [s.l :s.n.]. Available at: <https://www.euronuclear.org/archiv/topfuel2018/fullpapers/TopFuel2018-A0180-fullpaper.pdf>. Acessed on: 15 Oct. 2023.

IAEA Concludes Long Term Operational Safety Review at Unit 1 of the Angra Nuclear Power Plant in Brazil. Available at: <https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-concludes-long-term-operational-safety-review-at-unit-1-of-the-angra-nuclear-power-plant-in-brazil>. Acessed on : 26 Jul. 2024.

MP cria Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Nuclear (ANSN). Avalaible at: <https://www.gov.br/mme/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/mp-cria-autoridade-nacional-de-seguranca-nuclear-ansn>. Acessed on: 25 Jul. 2024.

AGENCIA SENADO. Representação na Agência Internacional de Energia Atômica é aprovada na cre. Available at: <https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2023/06/22/representacao-na-agencia-internacional-de-energia-atomica-e-aprovada-na-cre>. Acessed on: 25 Jul. 2024

Olea, C. Project: ultracentrifuges; proyecto: ultracentrifugas. [s.l: s.n.]. Available at: < https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/38/002/38002953.pdf>. Acessed on: 16 Oct. 2023;

FOLHA DE S.P. EUA proíbem importação de combustível nuclear da Rússia. Available at: <https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2024/05/eua-proibem-importacao-de-combustivel-nuclear-da-russia.shtml#:~:text=Ap%C3%B3s%20dois%20anos%20do%20in%C3%ADcio>. Acessed on: 25 Jul. 2024.

Glasstone, S., Sesonske, A. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Design Basics (2nd ed.). CRC Press. (2008).

Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle - World Nuclear Association. Available at: <https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/japan-nuclear-fuel-cycle>. Acessed on : 25 Jul. 2024.

Jernkvist, L.O., Hallstadius, L., Grishchenko, D. Fission Gas Release in PWR Fuel Rods Irradiated in Vattenfall’s Ringhals-1. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 322(3), 229-243. (2003).

Lamarsh, J. R., Baratta, A. J. Introduction to Nuclear Engineering (4th ed.). Pearson. (2019).

Murphy, S.L., Jernkvist, L. O., Grosse, M. Modeling of Fuel Fragmentation due to Pellet-Cladding Mechanical Interaction. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 389(1-2),96-107. (2009).

OLIVER, Andrew J.; ÖZBERK, Engin. Conversion of natural uranium. In: Uranium for Nuclear Power. Woodhead Publishing, 2016. p. 299-319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100307-7.00011-9

Riella, H. G. & Urano, E. PROCESSAMENTO DE COMBUSTÍVEIS NUCLEARES. Escola Politécnica –Universidade de São Paulo. IPEN. Aula 04, 2020.

Russia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle - World Nuclear Association. Available at: <https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-o-s/russia-nuclear-fuel-cycle>. Acessed on: 25 Jul. 2024.

Ojovan, M. I. ; Lee, W. E. ; Kalmykov, S. N. Chapter 6 - Power Utilisation of Nuclear Energy. Available at: <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780081027028000066>. Acessed on: 25 Jul. 2024

Oliveira Neto, J. M. et al. Analise de risco em instalacoes de enriquecimento isotopico de uranio. 2014.

US Nuclear Fuel Cycle - World Nuclear Association. Available at: <https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/usa-nuclear-fuel-cycle>. Acessed on : 25 Jul. 2024.

CONSORCIO SANTA QUITERIA. Available at : < https://consorciosantaquiteria.com.br/consorcio/>. Acessed on : 02 Jul. 2024

CENTENA É SOLUÇÃO SUSTENTÁVEL PARA O SETOR NUCLEAR. Available at : < https://www.gov.br/cdtn/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/centena-e-solucao-sustentavel-para-o-setor-nuclear>. Acessed on : 02 Jul. 2024.

Was, G. ; Fundamentals of Radiation Materials Science: Metals and Alloys. Springer Science & Business Media. (2013).

Downloads

Published

2024-10-02

Issue

Section

Review Articles

How to Cite

Exploring the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Highlights and Innovations. Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, v. 12, n. 4, p. e2508, 2024. DOI: 10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2508. Disponível em: https://www.bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2508. Acesso em: 2 may. 2025.