Summary of near-term options for Russian plutonium production reactors

Abstract

The Russian Federation desires to phase out the production of weapons-grade plutonium. To this end, ten graphite-moderated, water-cooled reactors have been shut down during the last several years. However, complete cessation of plutonium production is impeded because the three operating Russian reactors supply district heat and electricity to the Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk regions in addition to producing weapon-grade plutonium. In August 1992 the Russian Federation Ministry of Atomic Energy (MINATOM) and the Russian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (GAN) requested U.S. assistance for achieving a cessation of weapons-grade plutonium production, placing the plutonium production reactors under safeguards, and conducting a program to evaluate and assist in the upgrade of plant safety. As a result of that and subsequent communications, Secretary O`Leary and Minister Mikhailov have signed a protocol that expressed their desire to shut down the three remaining plutonium production reactors as soon as possible by replacing them with alternate energy sources. In the meantime, both MINATOM and the Department of Energy (DOE) are concerned about the safety of the plants as well as the difficulty in ceasing the production of plutonium as long as the plants continue to operate. A military subsidy has been provided for operation of the production reactor complex. Revenues received for providing district heat and electricity are insufficient to cover costs for the current natural uranium metal fuel cycle. A more economical fuel cycle is needed for civilian operations.