Improving the Assessment of the Proliferation Risk of Nuclear Fuel Cycles

Improving the Assessment of the Proliferation Risk of Nuclear Fuel Cycles PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2013-06-11

Total Pages: 93

ISBN-13: 0309285356

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The material that sustains the nuclear reactions that produce energy can also be used to make nuclear weapons-and therefore, the development of nuclear energy is one of multiple pathways to proliferation for a non-nuclear weapon state. There is a tension between the development of future nuclear fuel cycles and managing the risk of proliferation as the number of existing and future nuclear energy systems expands throughout the world. As the Department of Energy (DOE) and other parts of the government make decisions about future nuclear fuel cycles, DOE would like to improve proliferation assessments to better inform those decisions. Improving the Assessment of the Proliferation Risk of Nuclear Fuel Cycles considers how the current methods of quantification of proliferation risk are being used and implemented, how other approaches to risk assessment can contribute to improving the utility of assessments for policy and decision makers. The study also seeks to understand the extent to which technical analysis of proliferation risk could be improved for policy makers through research and development.

Proliferation Risk in Nuclear Fuel Cycles

Proliferation Risk in Nuclear Fuel Cycles PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2012-02-06

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13: 0309220491

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The worldwide expansion of nuclear energy has been accompanied by concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation. If sited in states that do not possess nuclear weapons technology, some civilian nuclear technologies could provide a route for states or other organizations to acquire nuclear weapons. Metrics for assessing the resistance of a nuclear technology to diversion for non-peaceful uses-proliferation resistance-have been developed, but at present there is no clear consensus on whether and how these metrics are useful to policy decision makers. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy asked the National Academies to convene a public workshop addressing the capability of current and potential methodologies for assessing host state proliferation risk and resistance to meet the needs of decision makers. Proliferation Risk in Nuclear Fuel Cycles is a summary of presentations and discussions that transpired at the workshop-held on August 1-2, 2011-prepared by a designated rapporteur following the workshop. It does not provide findings and recommendations or represent a consensus reached by the symposium participants or the workshop planning committee. However, several themes emerged through the workshop: nonproliferation and new technologies, separate policy and technical cultures, value of proliferation resistance analysis, usefulness of social science approaches. The workshop was organized as part of a larger project undertaken by the NRC, the next phase of which (following the workshop) will be a consensus study on improving the assessment of proliferation risks associated with nuclear fuel cycles. This study will culminate in a report prepared by a committee of experts with expertise in risk assessment and communication, proliferation metrics and research, nuclear fuel cycle facility design and engineering, international nuclear nonproliferation and national security policy, and nuclear weapons design. This report is planned for completion in the spring of 2013.

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options PDF

Author: U.s. Government Accountability Office

Publisher:

Published: 2017-08-14

Total Pages: 76

ISBN-13: 9781974549528

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"More demand for electricity and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions have increased interest in nuclear power, which does not rely on fossil fuels. However, concerns remain about the radioactive spent fuel that nuclear reactors generate. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a research and development (R&D) plan to select nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, some of which reprocess spent fuel and recycle some nuclear material, such as plutonium. These fuel cycles may help reduce the generation of spent fuel and risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. GAO was asked to review (1) DOE's approach to selecting nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, (2) DOE's efforts to reduce proliferation and terrorism risks, and (3) selected countries' experiences in reprocessing and recycling spent fuel. GAO reviewed DOE's plan and met with officials from DOE, the nuclear industry, and France and the United Kingdom. "

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options PDF

Author: United States. Government Accountability Office

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 70

ISBN-13:

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More demand for electricity and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions have increased interest in nuclear power, which does not rely on fossil fuels. However, concerns remain about the radioactive spent fuel that nuclear reactors generate. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a research and development (R & D) plan to select nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, some of which reprocess spent fuel and recycle some nuclear material, such as plutonium. These fuel cycles may help reduce the generation of spent fuel and risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. GAO was asked to review (1) DOE's approach to selecting nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, (2) DOE's efforts to reduce proliferation and terrorism risks, and (3) selected countries' experiences in reprocessing and recycling spent fuel. GAO reviewed DOE's plan and met with officials from DOE, the nuclear industry, and France and the United Kingdom. GAO recommends that DOE revise its plan to include the current readiness levels of fuel cycle technologies and the estimated time and cost to develop them, include a strategy for long-term collaboration with the nuclear industry, and specify how DOE will use international agreements to advance its efforts. GAO also recommends that DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy and its National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complete a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to avoid duplication and overlap of efforts. DOE agreed with the first three recommendations and did not rule out the future use of a MOU. GAO continues to believe that this formal collaboration mechanism is needed.

Nuclear Proliferation and Civilian Nuclear Power. Report of the Nonproliferation Alternative Systems Assessment Program. Volume V. Economics and Systems Analysis

Nuclear Proliferation and Civilian Nuclear Power. Report of the Nonproliferation Alternative Systems Assessment Program. Volume V. Economics and Systems Analysis PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1980

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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This NASAP assessment considers the economics of alternative nuclear reactor and fuel-cycle systems in the light of possible patterns of uranium supply and energy demand, as well as the economic implications of improvng the proliferation resistance of the various systems. The assessment focuses on the costs of alternative nuclear technologies and the possible timing of their implementation, based on their economic attractiveness.

INFCE Summary Volume

INFCE Summary Volume PDF

Author: International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation

Publisher:

Published: 1980

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13:

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Of working group 1 : fuel and heavy water availability -- Summary of working group 2 : enrichment availability -- Summary of working group 3 : assurances of long-term supply of technology, fuel and heavy water and services in the interest of national needs consistent with non-proliferation -- Summary of working group 4 : reprocessing, plutonium handling, recycle -- Summary of working group 5 : fast breeders -- Summary of working group 6 : spent fuel management -- Summary of working group 7 : waste management and disposal -- Summary of working group 8 : advanced fuel cycle and reactor concepts -- Final communiqué of the organizing conference of the international nuclear fuel cycle evaluation -- Technical and economic scope and methods of work -- Press communiqué of the first INFCE plenary conference -- List of actions and decisions taken by the first INFCE plenary conference -- List of participants in the first INFCE plenary conference -- Communiqué of the final INFCE plenary conference -- List of participants in the final INFCE plenary conference -- List of participants in the technical co-ordinating committee -- Primer on the nuclear fuel cycle -- INFCE documentation.

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