an ecoimagination™ product
Advanced Recycling Center
Disposing of used nuclear fuel is critical considering the anticipated expansion of nuclear energy generation to meet increasing global energy demand. GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's Advanced Recycling Center (ARC) takes on the used fuel dilemma through recycling. Unlike traditional reprocessing, our advanced recycling technology consumes all transuranic elements while generating power and reducing greenhouses gases in the process. Combining electrometallurgical processing with sodium-cooled reactors, GE Hitachi’s ARC produces power by utilizing unused materials in used nuclear fuel, essentially turning waste into electricity.
How it works
Disposing of used nuclear fuel (UNF) is critical considering the anticipated expansion of nuclear energy generation to meet increasing global energy demand. GE Hitachi’s Advanced Recycling Center (ARC) takes on the UNF dilemma through recycling. Unlike traditional reprocessing, our advanced recycling technology consumes all transuranic elements while generating power and reducing greenhouses gases in the process.
Combining electrometallurgical processing with sodium-cooled reactors, GE’s ARC produces power by utilizing unused materials in used nuclear fuel, essentially turning waste into electricity.
Features & Benefits
- Reduces amount of nuclear waste by producing energy from unused materials in used nuclear fuel
- Promotes environmental stewardship by reducing uranium mining
- Increases energy efficiency by utilizing unused materials in used nuclear fuel
- Resulting waste products have a shorter half-life, requiring shorter geologic storage time
- Enhances national safety by using proliferation-resistant technology that limits the possibility of diverting materials for use in weaponry
- Recycling versus storage reduces environmental impact
- Alleviates the burden of used nuclear fuel previously destined for disposal
- The ARC produces carbon-free electric power
