Fuel qualification issues and strategies for reactor-based surplus plutonium disposition

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/631243· OSTI ID:631243

Cowell, B S; Copeland, G L; Moses, D L

The Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed irradiation of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel in existing commercial reactors as a disposition method for surplus plutonium from the weapons program. The burning of MOX fuel in reactors is supported by an extensive technology base; however, the infrastructure required to implement reactor-based plutonium disposition does not exist domestically. This report identifies and examines the actions required to qualify and license weapons-grade (WG) plutonium-based MOX fuels for use in domestic commercial light-water reactors (LWRs).

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 631243
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-13405; ON: DE98007045; TRN: 98:006986
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: Aug 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
PLUTONIUM
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
LICENSING REGULATIONS
CERTIFICATION