Published 1980 | Version v1
Book Metadata-only

Plutonium denaturing - how effective a safeguards deterrent

Creators

  • 1. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge

Description

The effectiveness of denaturing plutonium with a Pu-238 heat spike was evaluated as a safeguards deterrent for light-water reactor (LWR) fuel. The following aspects were examined: (1) the percentage of Pu-238 denaturant required to sufficiently protect reactor-grade plutonium from national and sub-national diversion attempts, (2) the production rate of denaturant in LWRs, and (3) logistics requirements. Calculations were also performed to determine the impact of Pu-238 precursors on fuel reactivity and economics. Results indicate that a 5% by weight denaturant is sufficient to produce desired safeguards effects in reactor-grade plutonium. 11 refs

Additional details

Publishing Information

Publisher
Institute of Nuclear Materials Management.
Imprint Place
Columbus, OH
Imprint Title
Proceedings of 21st annual meeting of Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
Journal Page Range
p. 558-564.

Conference

Title
21. annual meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management.
Dates
30 Jun - 2 Jul 1980.
Place
Palm Beach, FL, USA.

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
13691698
Subject category
S11: NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; S98: NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
DENATURED FUEL; DILUTION; FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS; NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION; NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT; PLUTONIUM; PLUTONIUM 238; PUREX PROCESS; SAFEGUARDS
Descriptors DEC
ACTINIDE NUCLEI; ACTINIDES; ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; ELEMENTS; ENERGY SOURCES; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; FUELS; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; MANAGEMENT; METALS; NUCLEAR FACILITIES; NUCLEAR FUELS; NUCLEI; PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES; RADIOISOTOPES; REACTOR MATERIALS; REPROCESSING; SEPARATION PROCESSES; TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES