Stichting Laka

Publication Laka-library:
Costing plutonium: economics of reprocessing in India (2007)

Author	Ramana, J.Y.Suchitra
	-
Date	April 2007
Classification	4.03.0.00/16 (INDIA - GENERAL)
Front

Abstract: 
The relative merits of reprocessing and direct disposal of spentnuclear fuel have 
been widely debated in Europe and the USA. An importantaspect of the debate 
has been the economics of reprocessing. So far there havebeen no studies of the 
subject in the Indian context. This study assesses theeconomics of reprocessing in 
India and the cost of producing plutoniumfor the fast breeder reactor programme.
Our results suggest that the cost of reprocessing each kilogram of spent fuel would 
cost approximately Rs. 26,000(approx. $600)with assumptions favourable to 
reprocessing, and close to Rs. 30,000 (approx. $675) under other assumptions. 
These costs are lower thanthe corresponding figures for reprocessing plants in 
Europe, the USA, and Japan. As in their case, however, it is unlikely to be an 
economically viablemethod of waste disposal.

Keywords: reprocessing; plutonium; nuclear; India; breeder; reactors; 
energy economics; radioactive waste; spent fuel

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