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August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Front-end nuclear fuel supply cooperation: Turning allied interdependence into strategic advantage
The global nuclear revival, which is fueled by unprecedented demand for firm, affordable, dispatchable power for artificial intelligence and data center build-out, energy security imperatives, and climate commitments, has exposed a structural reality of the Western fuel cycle: No single allied nation currently possesses the full suite of front-end capabilities. From mining through conversion, enrichment, fabrication, and the emerging deconversion and metallization steps required for reactor fuels, capability is distributed across Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (collectively, the “Sapporo Five”), as well as a small group of close partners.
F. W. Dodge, E. W. Murbach, L. A. Hanson
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 6 | Number 6 | December 1959 | Pages 533-536
doi.org/10.13182/NSE59-A15515
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The feasibility of low decontamination of thorium-uranium alloys by drip melting under vacuum in a high-frequency induction field has been investigated experimentally. A substantial portion of the rare earths as well as the more volatile fission products were removed and no detectable vaporization of thorium or uranium was found. Fission product removal was improved by extending the heating period, i.e., by decreasing the drip rate. A satisfactory, completely remote handling system for in-cave experiments with irradiated fuel was developed. The process shows promise for reprocessing of thorium-uranium fuels if 100% decontamination is not required. The simplicity of the method makes it readily adaptable to remote handling techniques and power requirements are not excessive.