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U.S. Department of Energy
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Eliminating the Possibility at Chernobyl 4 of Recriticality with Positive Feedback

Conference ·
OSTI ID:263918
 [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
We have recently published an article in which we discuss means by which plutonium and other fissile material stored underground could reach criticality with positive feedback and therefore explosive potential. The Chernobyl rubble involving hundreds of tons of material is similar in some respects to the systems analyzed in the paper, and the practices there to control criticality may well increase the probability of a second event at Chernobyl 4. This paper explores the Chernobyl situation and remedial actions are recommended.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
263918
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--96-1801; CONF-9605143--2; ON: DE96011304
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English