Nuclear-grade plutonium dioxide powder for fabrication of light water reactor MOX fuel - Guidelines to help in the definition of a product specification

Plutonium recycling in the form of mixed uranium and plutonium oxide based fuel (MOX fuel) has become an industrial reality. This plutonium cannot be considered as a standard product because the possibility of recycling the oxide powder produced by the reprocessing of spent fuels (plutonium dioxide mixed or not with uranium) depends on numerous factors: its fabrication process; the MOX fuel fabrication process; ? the safety constraints applied to these processes; the characteristics of the reprocessed spent fuel (initial enrichment, burn-up rate, etc.). As it cannot be considered a standard product, the plutonium consequently cannot form the subject of general supply specifications, as is the case for uranium. The development of the use of this type of fuel nevertheless makes it worthwhile to draw-up a standard which defines certain minimum properties to be complied with by the oxide powder and which recommends both the seller and purchaser to reach agreement concerning a certain number of parameters which it will be advisable to specify. This International Standard meets this need for the plutonium dioxide power. This International Standard applies to nuclear-grade plutonium dioxide powder (PuO2), for fabrication of light water reactor MOX fuel. It defines minimal requirements for the product, quality assurance and quality control. It can be modified or amended once the powder supplier and the MOX fuel fabricator agree. This International Standard sets, in that respect, guidelines for the definition of a product specification