Plutonium Production Using Natural Uranium From the Front-End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

[摘要] This report explores the potential for producing weapons-grade plutonium using conventional industrial resources, oxides of natural uranium (namely UO{sub 3}), and either heavy water or reactor-grade graphite. Using established codes and data for nuclear analysis, it is demonstrated that physics-based reactor models capable of producing kilogram quantities of weapons-grade plutonium can be readily conceived. The basic assumptions and analysis approach are discussed together with the results of the analysis.

[发布日期] 2002-08-29 [发布机构] Oak Ridge National Laboratory

[关键词] Oxides;11 Nuclear Fuel Cycle And Fuel Materials;Production;Nuclear Fuels;Heavy Water