Abstract

A typical 1 gigawatt LWR, the dominant commercial power reactor type today, operating at 70 per cent capacity factor, generates approximately 250kg of plutonium annually. This plutonium, which is produced in the reactor through neutron capture by U-238, is then discharged from the reactor along with the other constituents of the spent fuel. About 0.7 per cent of the plutonium, or 175kg, is fissile (odd) isotopes of plutonium. As long as the plutonium discharged from the reactor is left intermixed with the highly radioactive fission products also contained in the spent fuel, it cannot readily be used for power or for weapons.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.