Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities for Converting U.S. and Russian Research Reactors: A Workshop Report - Softcover

Russian Academy Of Sciences; Russian Committee On Progress, Challenges, And Opportunities For Converting U.S. And Russian Research Reactors From Highly Enriched To Low Enriched Uranium Fuel; National Research Council; Division On Earth And Life Studies; Nuclear And Radiation Studies Board; U.S. Committee On Progress, Challenges, And Opportunities For Converting U.S. And Russian Research Reactors From Highly Enriched To Low Enriched Uranium Fuel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309253209 ISBN 13: 9780309253208

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2012

Synopsis

Highly enriched uranium (HEU) is used for two major civilian purposes: as fuel for research reactors and as targets for medical isotope production. This material can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Stolen or diverted HEU can be used-in conjunction with some knowledge of physics-to build nuclear explosive devices. Thus, the continued civilian use of HEU is of concern particularly because this material may not be uniformly well-protected. To address these concerns, the National Research Council (NRC) of the U.S. National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) held a joint symposium on June 8-10, 2011.

Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities for Converting U.S. and Russian Research Reactors summarizes the proceedings of this joint symposium. This report addresses: (1) recent progress on conversion of research reactors, with a focus on U.S.- and R.F.-origin reactors; (2) lessons learned for overcoming conversion challenges, increasing the effectiveness of research reactor use, and enabling new reactor missions; (3) future research reactor conversion plans, challenges, and opportunities; and (4) actions that could be taken by U.S. and Russian organizations to promote conversion. The agenda for the symposium is provided in Appendix A, biographical sketches of the committee members are provided in Appendix B, and the report concludes with the statement of task in Appendix C.

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Overview
• 1 Introduction and Background
• 2 Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Conversion
• 3 Reactor Conversion Case Studies
• 4 Managing Proliferation Risks and Maintaining Missions
• Appendix A: Symposium Agenda
• Appendix B: Committee and Staff Biographical Sketches
• Appendix C: Statement of Task

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0309253209
• ISBN 13: 9780309253208
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 126