What is the estimated economic advantage of reprocessing spent fuel from PWRs in terms of natural uranium and separative work units (SWUs)?

The estimated economic advantage of reprocessing spent fuel from Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) aligns with the notion of reducing costs significantly. Reprocessing allows for the recovery of valuable isotopes, such as uranium and plutonium, from spent fuel, which can then be reused as fuel, thus decreasing the need for new natural uranium. This re-use is economically favorable because it lowers the amount of natural uranium that must be mined and processed, resulting in reduced costs associated with uranium procurement and the extraction of separative work units (SWUs) necessary for enriching fresh fuel.

Moreover, by recycling the spent fuel, the overall fuel cycle is optimized, which can lead to improved efficiency in fuel utilization. This efficiency can manifest in further cost savings through decreased operational and transportation expenses, as well as a reduction in the volume of waste that needs to be managed and stored long-term. The potential for these advantages is a significant motivator for reprocessing strategies in nuclear power generation, making the case for its economic benefits quite compelling.