(389b) Renuclear: Use of a Molten Salt Breeder Reactor for Nuclear Reactor Decomissioning and Spent Fuel Disposal

Nuclear reactors provide a reliable, low-emission source of baseload energy. However, the generation of radioactive spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is a prominent obstacle to increased implementation of nuclear power. ReNUclear aims to address the inefficiencies of established nuclear technology by retrofitting existing generation II and III reactors with a new molten salt breeder reactor (MSBR) and chemical treatment system to process SNF. This endeavor, titled "Project ReNU", will provide a more economically and environmentally sound decommissioning program for nuclear reactors. Dissolving SNF in a high temperature molten salt allows for more complete fuel consumption than is possible with existing reactor technology in doing so reduces the half-life of SNF by several orders of magnitude. Our process will allow for the recovery of uranium and plutonium dioxides from the SNF which will be formed into new fuel pellets for existing generation II and III nuclear reactors. By tackling the problem of SNF storage, Project ReNU and ReNUclear will play a significant role in increasing the profitability, safety, and attractiveness of nuclear power as a source of low-carbon electricity.