Plutonium Production Using Natural Uranium From the Front-End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
This report explores the potential for producing weapons-grade plutonium using conventional industrial resources, oxides of natural uranium (namely UO{sub 3}), and either heavy water or reactor-grade graphite. Using established codes and data for nuclear analysis, it is demonstrated that physics-based reactor models capable of producing kilogram quantities of weapons-grade plutonium can be readily conceived. The basic assumptions and analysis approach are discussed together with the results of the analysis.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 814165
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-2002/118; TRN: US0304172
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 29 Aug 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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