Feasibility study for High Assay Utilization Facility

Proposed reductions in the nuclear weapons stockpile may result in large quantities of highly enriched uranium (HEU) being made available for other purposes. The availability of this HEU has raised several strategic and economic concerns which are currently being discussed at the highest levels of the Federal Government. Several uses have been suggested for the HEU, including future unforeseen weapons requirements, nuclear materials production reactors, naval reactors, research and test reactors and conversion to fuel for commercial light water power reactors. This study has been conducted at the request of the US Department of Energy (DOE) and specifically addressed the conversion of all or a portion of the excess HEU into fuel for commercial light water power reactors. At DOE's direction, the study has evaluated the possibility of converting up to 100,000 KgU of HEU over a ten year time period. A major goal of the study was the minimization of the Life Cycle Cost for the conversion process. To achieve this goal, the study has evaluated a variety of alternative conversion processes, and, wherever feasible, has attempted to maximize the usage of existing facilities. The major conclusion of this study is that a new facility, named the High Assay Utilization Facility (HAUF), is required to accomplish the mission. The HAUF utilizes both new and existing facilities at two separate plant sites