Year
1980
Abstract
The effectiveness of denaturing plutonium with a Pu-238 heat spike was evaluated as a safeguards deterrent for light-water reactor (LWR) fuel. The following aspects were examined: (1) the percentage of Pu-238 denaturant required to sufficiently protect reactor-grade plutonium from national and sub-national diversion attempts, (2) the production rate of denaturant in LWRs., and (3) logistics requirements. Calculations were also performed to determine the impact of Pu-238 precursors on fuel reactivity and economics. Results indicate that a 5$ by weight denaturant is sufficient to produce desired safeguards effects in reactor-grade plutonium. Reactivity calculations show that a maximum increase in uranium enrichment from 3-2 to 3-7% is required to compensate for additions of Np-237 and U-236 in first-cycle fuel. Required modifications of a standard PUREX plant are estimated to result in an overall increase in reprocessing costs of about 5$> which does not significantly impact upon reprocessing economics.