The Cost of Weapons Plutonium Disposition Through MOX Utilisation in Existing Commercial LWRs

Abstract

The disposition of weapons grade plutonium has been a topical area for several years now. A number of reactor and accelerator based systems are potentially capable of removing weapons grade plutonium from stock. Depending on the system, the plutonium may be made less accessible, degraded so as to be unsuitable for weapons use, or simply destroyed. Political views differ, with the US wanting to achieve the “spent fuel standard” for weapons plutonium dispositioning. This is a concept to make weapons plutonium as unattractive and inaccessible as the plutonium in spent fuel from commercial reactors. Russia, however, sees weapons plutonium as an assest which should be utilised for power generation.