Options for the Immobilisation of UK Civil Plutonium
- Nexia Solutions Ltd., Cumbria, CA (United Kingdom)
As a result of the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel the UK expects to accumulate in excess of 100 tonnes of separated plutonium. There is currently no long term strategy for the management of this material. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has commissioned a programme with Nexia Solutions to examine the alternatives for the disposition of this material and subsequently present the NDA with technically underpinned option(s) for plutonium disposition. The overall programme comprises two main options, re-use as fuel in reactors and immobilisation in the event of being declared surplus to requirements and is targeted specifically at the requirements of the UK. The disposition programme will take account of the UK reactor portfolio, and the quantity that may require immobilisation will depend on future UK nuclear strategy. Immobilisation options are being reviewed in the light that a proportion of the stockpile could be declared waste. The options for immobilisation are being assessed in the expectation that any immobilised product would be destined for an as yet undefined repository, preceded by a period of storage in secure facilities. Potential products are being developed to be compatible with a wide range of disposal scenarios. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, 1628 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 9 - 332, Tempe, AZ 85282 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21290821
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US--09-WM-07214
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Research To Underpin The UK Plutonium Disposition Strategy
Survey of Potential Glass Compositions for the Immobilisation of the UK's Separated Plutonium Stocks