Yucca Mountain viability for nuclear waste

[Argentum Vulpes]

Won't Hanford reprocessing plant be able to process civilian spent fuel after it's done with military waste?

My understanding of the Hanford complex is that the reprocessors were shut down in the 70's and were never reopened. And they are now on the long list of D&D (decimation & destruction) at the sight.

 

[nikkkom]

My understanding of the Hanford complex is that the reprocessors were shut down in the 70's and were never reopened. And they are now on the long list of D&D (decimation & destruction) at the sight.

I'm talking about this:

http://www.hanford.gov/page.cfm/wtp

When finished, it's supposed to be able to vitrify the nasty stuff.
I suppose the end result (steel containers with glass) will be stored in Hanford too.

Add a front-end PUREX stage to it and it's a complete reprocessing solution.

 

[Argentum Vulpes]

I'm talking about this:

http://www.hanford.gov/page.cfm/wtp

When finished, it's supposed to be able to vitrify the nasty stuff.
I suppose the end result (steel containers with glass) will be stored in Hanford too.

Add a front-end PUREX stage to it and it's a complete reprocessing solution.

Yes if a PUREX stage were added then it could be the restart of reprocessing in the US. However the project you have linked to is only a way to deal with the leftovers from the PUREX process, with no plans that I can find on turning or adding a plant to make it into reprocessing plant. So I'm still standing by my earlier analysis that reprocessing is dead and cold in the ground when it comes to the US.