A Technical Basis for Proliferation-Resistant Plutonium Disposition
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Final disposition of fissile materials cannot be reached without intermediate stages. Major uncertainties now exist in the physical and chemical form suitable for ultimate disposition. Forecasts are heavily dependent on interim experience and on policy evolution. Meanwhile, technical options for disposition can be examined and tested. Two of these options--pyrochemical conditioning and vitrification--have been the subject of research and development at Argonne. Using these technologies, weapons plutonium could be demilitarized by being blended with spent fuel. End-products suitable for disposal of weapons plutonium are particularly controversial because of factors associated with alternative energy uses, potential recovery for weapons, nuclear safeguards, criticality safety, and changing standards.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 149985
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/TD/CP-84850; CONF-950936-2; ON: DE96002759
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Special Meeting on the Peaceful Disposition of Weapons-Grade Nuclear Materials, Berlin (Germany), 3-9 Sep 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Non-proliferation issues for the disposition of fissile materials using reactor alternatives
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Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
PLUTONIUM
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
PROLIFERATION
SAFEGUARDS
CRITICALITY
SAFETY
STANDARDS
PYROCHEMICAL REPROCESSING
SPENT FUELS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Spent Fuels
Vitrification
Arms Control
Fissile Materials
Nuclear Materials