Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities for Converting U.S. and Russian Research Reactors A Workshop Report (2012) / Chapter Skim
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4 Managing Proliferation Risks and Maintaining Missions
4 Managing Proliferation Risks and Maintaining Missions
Pages 89-102
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From page 89... ...
perspectives on proliferation risks associated with highly enriched uranium- (HEU-) fueled research reactors (Bari, 2011; Chebeskov, 2011)
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From page 90... ...
In particular, future research related to nuclear energy and the nuclear fuel cycle will necessitate maintaining and improving current research reactor capabilities in the United States and Russia as well as in other countries. Research reactors are especially needed to conduct basic research for nuclear power development.
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From page 91... ...
This knowledge can be used to develop new nuclear technologies. Much of the research work involving fast reactors may require capabilities that only a few current research reactors possess.
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From page 92... ...
For these reasons, NIKIET is using reliable and tested fuel types and design solutions in its new research reactor designs. At the same time, proliferation concerns will need to be accounted for.
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From page 93... ...
is a 100 MW multipurpose materials testing reactor that was commissioned to replace another reactor, OSIRIS, which was built in the 1960s. JHR was initially designed to operate with a new high-density LEU fuel; however, because of difficulties in the development and qualification of this fuel, the reactor will begin operation with HEU fuel instead as described in the paragraphs to follow.
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From page 94... ...
The 1.37-mm-thick fuel plates form eight concentric rings, with coolant gaps of 1.95 mm between the plates. The center of the fuel element contains aluminum filler, a hafnium control rod, or Figure 4-1.eps an experimental position.
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From page 95... ...
As noted previously, conversion of research reactors from HEU to LEU lowers risk. However, some reactors may not be able to be converted, so it is important to understand the risks associated with their continuing operation.
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From page 96... ...
as follows (Bari, 2011) : • Proliferation risk of an HEU-fueled research reactor's fuel cycle is associated with the diversion or undeclared production of nuclear material or misuse of technology by a host state seeking to acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
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From page 97... ...
As an example, at the MEPhI reactor, the small size and mass of very highly enriched fuel assemblies represent a higher theft risk than heavier power reactor fuel assemblies, especially for fresh fuel assemblies. The uranium contained in the MEPhI fuel assemblies would not need further enrichment to be usable in a nuclear explosive device.
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From page 98... ...
Some measures mentioned by symposium attendees included avoiding the use of HEU fuel where possible in favor of LEU fuel; maintaining adequate nuclear materials 1 For example, one facility might require only very few radiation protection measures to isolate nuclear materials, whereas another facility might require more sophisticated measures. These operational characteristics affect the proliferation risk of the facility.
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From page 99... ...
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA Near the close of the symposium, participants were asked to summarize important ideas that had been mentioned over the preceding three days and to identify potential future opportunities for both the United States and Russia on the conversion of research reactors from HEU to LEU fuel. During this discussion, many key points were brought up by individuals in attendance at the symposium.
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From page 100... ...
Jordi Roglans noted that governments' decisions regarding future HEU use would likely be influenced by the potential for economic and other upheavals if a terrorist event involving HEU occurred related to research reactors or otherwise. • Some facilities may not be easily convertible to LEU fuel, including fast reactors, fast critical assemblies, reactors with small core volumes, and reactors with high specific power per unit volume of active core.
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From page 101... ...
2011. Types and Designs of Prospective Research Reactors with LEU Fuel.
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