The 94-1 core technology research and development program

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:426376

Avens, L R; Eller, G; Dinehart, S M ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM (United States)

On May 26, 1994, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) issued Recommendation 94-1, which expressed the board`s concern about nuclear materials left in the manufacturing pipeline after the United States halted nuclear weapons production activities. The DNFSB emphasized the risks to the workers, public, and environment and the need to remediate these materials. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) accepted the board`s recommendation and issued an implementation plan to address these concerns. The DOE also formed the Nuclear Materials Stabilization Task Group to administer the effort. An 8-yr schedule was established to stabilize plutonium-containing solutions and processing residues. A part of Recommendation 94-1 stated that a research program should be established to fill any gaps in the information base needed to choose among alternate processes to be used for the conversion of fissile materials to forms safe for interim and long-term storage. Los Alamos National Laboratory was selected as the lead laboratory for nuclear material stabilization. Consequently, a research committee was formed and a research and development plan was developed. The plan consists of several elements that include storage standards development, stabilization process development, packaging, surveillance, transportation, and core technology. This paper is about the core technology element of the program, which is working toward several goals, The primary goal is to provide a core of scientists actively engaged in the study of plutonium and other actinides. These scientists are available to address unanticipated problems that may develop while fissile material is stored. The program is also being used to train students who are interested in things nuclear. Advancing the state of chemical and materials knowledge about actinides is another goal.

• OSTI ID: 426376
• Report Number(s): CONF-961103--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 75; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
40 CHEMISTRY
ACTINIDES
NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
PLUTONIUM
STABILIZATION
STORAGE