The MOX and vitrification options compared: A non-proliferation perspective

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:182995

Leventhal, P; Dolley, S

The two principal options for disposing of plutonium recovered from retired nuclear warheads are the irradiation in reactors of mixed-oxide fuel made from this plutonium (the MOX option), and direct disposal of warhead plutonium by means of vitrifying it with high-level radioactive waste (the VHLW option). The MOX option poses greater risks of diversions and thefts of warhead material, of reversal of the disarmament process, and of other adverse effects on international arms control and non-proliferation efforts than does vitrification. Proposals for transferring warhead-plutonium MOX fuel to third countries not now possessing nuclear weapons pose additional risks. To minimize proliferation and terrorism risks associated with plutonium, a symmetrical regime should be developed to address the dual threat of military and civilian plutonium by placing comparable obligations on nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states not to produce or use separated plutonium in any form.

• OSTI ID: 182995
• Report Number(s): CONF-950917--; ISBN 0-7918-1219-7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
NUCLEAR WEAPONS DISMANTLEMENT
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
PRODUCTION
PROLIFERATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
SAFEGUARDS
SPENT FUELS
VITRIFICATION