Additional Pu-238 production
Possible DOD demands for up to 1 MW thermal of heat sources could be partially met by increasing SRP Pu-238 production. The Pu-238 would be an alternate or supplement to Sr-90 in these heat sources. There is a growing surplus of Np-237 target material which could be used to produce high-assay Pu-238 (83.5%). In addition SRP produces low assay Pu-238 (approx. 27%) that could be extracted instead of being sent to the waste tanks. About 216 kg or 121 kw thermal of additional high-assay Pu-238 could be produced at SRP through FY1997; it would produce power at an incremental cost of approx. $1160/watt. About 77 kg or 44 kw thermal of low assay Pu-238 could also be recovered through FY1997; it would generate power at approx. $1850/watt. These quantities would supply only a fraction (approx. 1/6 of the 1 MW demand projection. Also the costs are considerably higher than the costs for Sr-90 fission product heat sources. Sr-90 from SRP and Hanford could supply the total 1 MW thermal requirement (150 MCi at $1 to $3 per Ci) at costs in the range of $150 to $450 per watt.
- Research Organization:
- Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00001
- OSTI ID:
- 6876777
- Report Number(s):
- DPST-82-839; ON: DE83005047
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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