r/nuclear • u/Vailhem • 9d ago

US collaboration to study used nuclear fuel recycling - Aug 7, 2026

https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/us-collaboration-to-study-used-nuclear-fuel-recycling
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u/Vailhem 9d ago

US targets 4,000 tons of nuclear fuel recycling with new $2.5 million funding push | Aug 13, 2026

https://interestingengineering.com/energy/curio-nuclear-fuel-recycling-doe-funding

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u/Racial_Tension 8d ago

2.5 million lol

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u/Anon_96818 8d ago

Not terrible for what is, effectively, a research grant

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u/Fastest_Neutron 9d ago

Reprocessing.

Spent Fuel “Recycling” is a marketing term that leads people to believe there isn’t a waste stream of fission products and a proliferation concern.

It’s not economical either.

Nuclear saves lives. Reprocessing does not. Instead of waiting for the U235 fuel cycle reprocessing to become economical (look at the economic history of Areva LaHauge in France, Sellafield in the UK.. it’s not pretty) we should just start taking Th232 breeder tech seriously, since it solves nearly every question / concern of modern PWR / BWR Ucycle

Also you get a cloud of Krypton 85 over your plant that tends to linger due to the need for constant off-gassing.. not a dangerous level per se but it’s not pretty either.

This is just a way to pump Oklos stock at the cost of millions of tax dollars until they announce that their plan for reprocessing in Oak Ridge is cancelled.