NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT RELATIONS FUEL FABRICATOR AND REACTOR OPERATOR

The first core of a nuclear power reactor presently can contain sixteen million dollars worth of leased uranium -- and this valuation does not include the cost of fabricating the uranium into fuel form. The assumption of this financial responsibility by the reactor operator appears to be a point of increasing concern. This is the basis upon which his burnup and use charges are calculated and paid during the life of the fuel. But more important, this value is the starting point on -which his calculated value is based for the return of spent fuel for reprocessing and credit. Whatever the basis may be for final determination by the fuel recovery operator, the reactor operator's evaluation of whether or not a significant difference exists then depends to a large extent on the confidence he places in the original values assigned to his fuel. The time for decision as to data reliability of the cold fuel is certainly not at the time of fuel recovery. It is at the time of receipt of the fuel.