What is nonweapons-usable {sup 233}U?

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:20005735

Forsberg, C W; Hopper, C M; Vantine, H C

The US is evaluating methods for the disposition of excess weapons-usable {sup 233}U. Disposition is the process of converting weapons-usable materials to nonweapons-usable materials to support US nonproliferation goals. Disposition options include (a) downblending {sup 233}U with depleted uranium (DU) to convert the {sup 233}U into a nonweapons-usable form for storage or use and (b) disposal options. Studies were undertaken to determine how much DU would need to be added to the {sup 233}U to convert the weapons-usable {sup 233}U into nonweapons usable {sup 233}U. The definition of nonweapons-usable {sup 233}U is also important for other applications. Uranium-233 is being considered in some advanced nuclear power reactor fuel cycles. A decay product of {sup 233}U, {sup 213}Bi, is potentially useful in treating certain cancers. For both applications, there are incentives to convert the {sup 233}U to a nonweapons-usable form to significantly reduce security costs. The technical analyses that were performed indicate that uranium with a {sup 233}U content of {lt}12 wt% in {sup 238}U is nonweapons-usable uranium. One kilogram of {sup 233}U requires 7.407 kg of DU containing 0.2 wt% {sup 235}U to convert the {sup 233}U to nonweapons-usable uranium. This concentration is equivalent to uranium with a {sup 235}U content {lt}20 wt% in {sup 238}U. These technical analyses will be used as inputs to develop a formal definition of nonweapons-usable {sup 233}U.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (US)
• OSTI ID: 20005735
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 81; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
DEPLETED URANIUM
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
NON-PROLIFERATION POLICY
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
NUCLEAR WEAPONS DISMANTLEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SAFEGUARDS
URANIUM 233