Publicatie Laka-bibliotheek:
Managing the UK plutonium stockpile: no easy choices (2023)
| Auteur | W. Bodel, A. Bull, G. Butler, R. Harrison, J. Matthews, D. Warrilow-Brennan |
 |
2-05-0-40-06.pdf |
| Datum | augustus 2023 |
| Classificatie | 2.05.0.40/06 (GROOT-BRITTANNIË - PU / MOX / SMP (Sellafield Mox Plant)) |
| Voorkant |  |
Uit de publicatie:
Executive Summary and Recommendations
Over the last six decades, the UK has built the UK. As waste, no energy would be generated, but this
option could be expected to reach an earlier end point than
up a stockpile of some 140 tonnes of civil use as fuel and to involve less initial cost as part of the overall
plutonium, currently stored as plutonium GDF programme.
dioxide powder in Sellafield. The facilities, To illustrate the benefits and detriments of these futures,
packaging and conditions of this storage are this paper examines the basic attributes of, and activities
currently the subject of an NDA improvement involved with, plutonium storage, use as fuel, and disposal as
waste. It does this in broad terms in the body of the paper,
programme over the next several decades. with a greater level of background and detail in appendices.
After the period of storage, the end point of The factors revealed by this examination gave rise to the
the plutonium is being examined against the inclusion of “no easy choices” in the study’s title.
possible futures of conversion into either The key initial finding is that the current programme of
fuel for nuclear reactors or a wasteform for improvement at Sellafield is essential to reduce the risks
and hazards of plutonium storage, and this must be a
disposal in the planned UK Geological Disposal priority for resources and funding over the next several
Facility (GDF). decades. This unavoidably long timescale allows time for
the choices between “Use” and “Disposal” to be properly
The optimal solid forms for disposal and for use as future examined: essential when any choice will almost certainly
fuel are distinct, so converting the stored material for exclude any later move to another choice. Time is, however,
delivery of one option will foreclose alternatives. It is a consideration, when the storage of plutonium dioxide
therefore advisable to reach a decision on the ultimate powder is more hazardous than storing the same plutonium
endpoint before taking firm steps in any direction. as a reactor fuel or as a wasteform. This will need to be
As nuclear fuel, the plutonium would generate quantities of clearly factored into decision making, especially when the
low-carbon energy, the amount of which would vary with the desire to minimise hazard/risk appears to be taken as an
reactors and fuel types used but could be very significant for absolute driver in some quarters.