Global S&T Development Trend Analysis Platform of Resources and Environment
DOI | 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111601 |
Nuclear fuel reprocessing: Can pyro-processing reduce nuclear proliferation risk? | |
Seung Min Woo, Sunil S. Chirayath, Matthew Fuhrmann | |
2020-06-20 | |
发表期刊 | Energy Policy |
出版年 | 2020 |
英文摘要 | The long-term sustainability of nuclear energy requires a closed fuel cycle in which used fuel is reprocessed and recycled. Unlike the PUREX process, which produces a pure plutonium product, pyro-processing produces a depleted uranium ingot and a mixed ingot of depleted uranium and transuranic elements (neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium) in the ratio 1:1. This seems to suggest that pyro-processing has a lower nuclear proliferation risk compared to PUREX because of the non-availability of a pure Pu product in pyro-processing. In this paper, we study some of the technical challenges in safeguarding a pyro-processing facility with respect to various special nuclear material (SNM) diversion scenarios and propose some possible solutions. We also analyze the misuse of pyro-processing in tandem with a covert PUREX facility. Wide-area environmental sampling and satellite imagery could detect the misuse. Additional strategies recommended are: employment of resident inspectors, establishment of dedicated nuclear safeguards funds, and international sanctions against the misuse of pyro-processing facilities. Results of the study show that suggested technical and administrative measures can make SNM diversion from a pyro-processing facility extremely difficult. We conclude that the use of pyro-processing in place of PUREX in a closed fuel cycle can lower the proliferation risk. |
领域 | 气候变化 |
URL | 查看原文 |
引用统计 | |
文献类型 | 期刊论文 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/276543 |
专题 | 气候变化 |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | Seung Min Woo, Sunil S. Chirayath, Matthew Fuhrmann. Nuclear fuel reprocessing: Can pyro-processing reduce nuclear proliferation risk?[J]. Energy Policy,2020. |
APA | Seung Min Woo, Sunil S. Chirayath, Matthew Fuhrmann.(2020).Nuclear fuel reprocessing: Can pyro-processing reduce nuclear proliferation risk?.Energy Policy. |
MLA | Seung Min Woo, Sunil S. Chirayath, Matthew Fuhrmann."Nuclear fuel reprocessing: Can pyro-processing reduce nuclear proliferation risk?".Energy Policy (2020). |
条目包含的文件 | 条目无相关文件。 |
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