Analysis of uranium usage reduction in Generation-IV fast-spectrum reactors and possible impact on the Belgian fuel cycle

This thesis analyzes the reduction in natural uranium consumption by using fast-spectrum reactors defined in the Generation IV Forum. The huge advantage of these reactors is the fact that they can rely on depleted uranium in their MOX mixture. Also, based on innovative spent fuel treatment, these reactors can be loaded with a certain fraction of minor actinides. The analysis is done by means of the DESAE scenario code. As a more to the point application, the special case of the Belgian fuel cycle is analyzed.