Publication Laka-library:
The Long-term nuclear explosives Predicament (1992)
| Author | Johan Swahn |
| Date | 1992 |
| Classification | 6.01.2.56/01 (PLUTONIUM - MOX & POSSIBLE RE-USE WEAPONS PU / HEU) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
THE LONG-TERM NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES PREDICAMENT THE FINAL DISPOSAL OF MILITARILY USABLE FISSILE MATERIAL IN NUCLEAR WASTE FROM NUCLEAR POWER AND FROM THE ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS Johan Swahn ABSTRACT It is possible that the long-term global energy future does not turn out to be a breeder-reactor-based plutonium economy, but that a sustainable energy future based on renewable energy sources develops instead, i.e., a post-nuclear world. The thesis is based on a scenario where this is the case. Then large amounts of fissile material, that would otherwise to be consumed in the plutonium economy, will have to be disposed of as long-lived nuclear waste. This material is usable for the construction of nuclear explosives and consists of weapons-grade uranium and weapons-grade plutonium from nuclear weapons dismantled as a result of reductions in the nuclear arsenals, and reactor-grade plutonium produced in civil nuclear reactors, but not recycled. Regarding the possibilities of using reactor- grade plutonium for the construction of nuclear explosives, it is found that reactor- grade plutonium is an entirely credible fissile material for nuclear explosives, but that the increased spontaneous fission neutron background inherent in such material does provide an incentive for a nuclear explosives program to produce weapons- grade plutonium. On the other hand, laser isotope separation technology can be used to convert reactor-grade plutonium into weapons-grade plutonium. Present planning for the final disposal of spent nuclear reactor fuel that contains reactor-grade plutonium calls for the deposition of the material in mined geologic repositories. This disposal solution does, however, not make the fissile material "practicably irrecoverable" and safeguards would have to be put on the material for an indefinite time-period. Thus our generations, who utilize nuclear power, will leave a burden on future generations that do not. This is the long-term nuclear explosives predicament.
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