Separated plutonium disposition scenarios through use as MOX fuel in Russian fast and thermal reactors

There are about thirty tons of so-called civil plutonium accumulated in Russia as a result of chemical reprocessing of the spent fuel from the VVER-440, BN-350, BN-600, and other reactors. Dismantling nuclear warheads will produce up to 100 tons of weapons-grade plutonium. Three different scenarios for utilization of the released plutonium as fuel for power reactors of the BN and VVER types are analyzed: (1) plutonium utilization on the site of Nuclear Center PO MAYAK, including chemical reprocessing plant RT-1 in operation, as well as fast reactor MOX fuel manufacturing plant (COMPLEX-300) and two or three BN-800 fast reactor units under construction; (2) plutonium utilization only on the base of the BN-600 and VVER-1000 reactors in operation; and (3) plutonium utilization on the base of both operating and new VVER-1000 reactors. Analysis has been made of Russian fuel and reactor base readiness for the realization of the above scenarios. The options were compared from the viewpoint of economics, radiotoxicity, and non-proliferation