Diversion and proliferation resistance of the plutonium consumption GT-MHR

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

OSTI ID:426611

Alberstein, D ^[1]; Ponomarev-Stepnoi, N N ^[2]

---

1. General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
2. Kurchatov Inst. of Atomic Energy, Moscow (Russian Federation)

Since 1993, General Atomics and the Russian Federation Ministry for Atomic Energy (Minatom) have been cost sharing a cooperative program to develop the gas turbine modular helium reactor (GT-MHR) for surplus weapons-grade plutonium disposition in Russia. In early 1996, Framatome also joined this program. The GT-MHR exceeds the spent-fuel standard by destroying up to 90% of the initially charged {sup 239}Pu in a single pass through the reactor. This capability and the superior diversion and proliferation resistance of the GT-MHR fuel cycle are among the major reasons that Russia wants the GT-MHR for this mission.

• OSTI ID: 426611
• Report Number(s): CONF-961103--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 75; ISSN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ACCOUNTING
FUEL CYCLE
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
PROLIFERATION