Research on Pyro-Processing
An expert review has suggested that the Korean government continue R&D projects to develop pyro-processing technology for reprocessing spent nuclear fuels and sodium-cooled fast reactors or SFRs powered by such reprocessed spent nuclear fuels.
The Ministry of Science and ICT received a report from the Review Committee on Spent Fuel Processing Technology Research and Development and submitted it to the National Assembly last month. It has also published the report on its website.
“We recommend the government to implement the two projects until 2020, when the evaluation of the research and development project will be completed,” the review committee recommended in the report. "In order to achieve the goals of the R&D project for the next three years, it is recommended that the National Assembly continue to support the projects."
Since 1997, the government has carried out the R&D project by investing a total of 676.4 billion won (US$608 million). However, some people have steadily questioned the effectiveness of the project because there have been no cases of the commercialization of the technology around the world. Last year, the National Assembly requested the Ministry of Science and ICT to execute this year’s budget of 40.6 billion won (US$36.5 million) after reviewing the continuity and direction of the project.
The Ministry of Science and ICT assembled the Review Committee last December with seven technical experts who did not work in the field of nuclear energy. The committee reviewed the technology, safety, research results, ripple effects and diplomatic effects of pyro-processing and SFRs.
“The government should make a judgment based on the results of ROK-US joint research once again," the committee said with respect to whether or not the project will continue after 2020. "Korea must secure a variety of other technological options besides pyro-processing."
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to map out a plan to push forward with the project in the future based on the report of the Review Committee and decide the final policy through consultation with the National Assembly.
"The issue of the disposal or treatment of spent nuclear fuels is a big challenge for the current and future generations,” the Review Committee said, adding that it therefore should be addressed now. "We will set mid- and long-term goals based on scientific research and go ahead with plans to achieve the goals.”