3 Feb (NucNet): Since 1978 more than 90 research reactors have been converted from using highly enriched uranium (HEU) or shut down, but despite this progress, the large number of remaining HEU-fueled reactors demonstrates that an HEU minimisation programme continues to be needed on a worldwide scale, a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says.
The report says more than 26 of those conversions or shutdowns have occurred since 2009. Seventy-four civilian research reactors continue to use HEU fuel, have HEU on site, or, in the case of one new reactor, have plans to start using HEU in the coming years.
Elimination of HEU from these facilities will be “significantly more challenging” than what has already been accomplished, the report says.
Success will depend on several developments including the qualification of manufacturable, affordable high-density LEU fuels that can be used in high performance research reactors (HPRRs); positive engagement with countries that still have HEU-fueled civilian research reactors; and demonstration of continued US commitment to the goal of HEU minimisation, and ultimately elimination, by taking intermediate steps to limit the use of weapon-usable HEU fuel in US-based reactors en route to full conversion to LEU.
The challenges associated with achieving conversion goals have resulted in “dramatically expanded timelines” for LEU conversions and HEU elimination relative to projections of five years ago, the report says.
The report says the continued presence of HEU in civilian installations such as research reactors poses “a threat to national and international security”. Minimisation, and ultimately elimination, of HEU in civilian research reactors worldwide has been a goal of US policy and programmes since 1978.
Today, 74 civilian research reactors around the world, including eight in the US, use or are planning to use HEU fuel.
The report, ‘Reducing the Use of Highly Enriched Uranium in Civilian Research Reactors’, is online: http://bit.ly/1QFSaoN
