A video describing the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel
This 10-minute visit presents the sequence of operations involved in the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at the La Hague plant.
This video replaces an earlier AREVA (the former French nuclear group, now known as Orano) version and features explanations supported by infographics. For some reason—perhaps to simplify the presentation for the viewer—the minor actinides that accompany the fission products in the waste are omitted.
The viewer should therefore mentally add “minor actinides” each time the commentary mentions fission products.
Video: ORANO
Summary of the video :
The Orano La Hague video describes, in about ten minutes, the main stages of nuclear fuel reprocessing at France’s leading reprocessing facility.
It begins with the loading of spent fuel into secure transport casks, followed by transport, unloading, and storage in large cooling pools where residual heat and radioactivity naturally decline.
The assemblies are then cut and dissolved through a series of mechanical and chemical processes that separate uranium, plutonium, fission products, and minor actinides.
Recovered plutonium is reused to fabricate MOX fuel, while uranium can be recycled for new reactor use.
The remaining fission products and actinides, forming high-level waste, are vitrified—sealed in glass for safe, long-term containment.
Metallic claddings are compacted into intermediate-level waste packages.
All waste forms are stored under continuous monitoring before part of them is returned abroad for final conditioning or disposal.
The video illustrates both the technological mastery and environmental commitment that define nuclear fuel cycle management at La Hague.