b'O V E R V I E W O F T H E L A B O R A T O R Y P L A N 2 0 1 9INL provides technical solutions for the safe, secure, and economic management and disposition of current and future LWR-generated UNF and high-level nuclear waste (HLW), boosting the continued viability and sustainability of nuclear energy. These technical solutions focus on (i) how UNF and HLW are generated, (ii) stabilizationDr. Zalupski treatments for UNF and HLW storage,collecting transportation, and disposal, and (iii)experimental data on organic acid performance of UNF and HLW duringdecomposition.short- and long-term storage. INL focuses its RD&D and investments to:L D R D S U CC E S S S TO RY Demonstrate an integrated fuel cycle treatment process dramaticallyDrs. Peter Zalupski and Gregory Horne are performing cutting-edge simpler than current processes, having the potential to significantlyresearch to understand radiation-induced decomposition of select small reduce cost and secondary wasteorganic acids. The fundamental radiation chemistry of this decomposition Inform future storage,was insufficiently understood. Through a combination of experiment transportation, disposition, and safeguarding requirements byand advanced computer modeling, a complete, predictive mechanistic developing process flowsheets forunderstanding of decomposition has been achieved, facilitating more predicting all waste streams and UNF generated from non-LWR- effective design of fuel cycle solutions for radiation environments.based advanced reactors Interrogate UNF treatment processes and detect fuel integrity and canister behavior by developingProvide data and address technical and demonstrating a set of real-timequestions associated with the long-instrumentation toolsterm storage, transportation, treatment, Address the safety and performanceand disposition of UNF by establishing of new advanced LWR fuels duringnecessary research facilities long-term storage by validatingAddress the management ofM&S capabilitiesAI-clad UNFS P OT L I G H T INL fuel-cycle facilities, materials, and expertise support fuel development for advanced reactors and further U.S. nonproliferation objectives.INL constructed a Material Recovery Pilot Plant to demonstrate the removal of zirconium or aluminum from used highly enriched uranium fuels, enabling a more efficient recovery of uranium to be downblended to less than 20% enriched (also called HALEU).11'