RRFM 2009 Transactions - European Nuclear Society

The Convert Program metric is to convert or verify shutdown prior to conversion of 129 HEU
reactors by 2018. Since 2004, 18 reactors have been converted, 6 of which were completed in
2008. Six more reactors are scheduled for conversion in fiscal year 2009.
To enable the conversion of 27 high-performance research reactors (6 of which are located in
the U.S.), GTRI is developing a new ultra-high density LEU fuel. The GTRI established the Fuel
Fabrication Capability (FFC) project to work with industry, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
the U.S. national laboratories, and other entities to accelerate efforts to create a commercial
scale capability to fabricate and supply this new ultra-high density U-Mo LEU fuel. This
capability will allow the U.S. to meet its international commitment to HEU reduction. It is hoped
that this model will encourage other countries to meet their requirements.
Also as part of the HEU minimization program, DOE is required by the Energy Policy Act
(EPAct) of 2005 to report to the U.S. Congress on the commitments from commercial producers
to provide Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) to meet current and projected critical needs in the United
States without the use of HEU. As a first step, the National Academies was commissioned to
perform a study on the technical and economic feasibility of procuring Mo-99 from commercial
sources that do not use HEU. The completed study entitled “Medical Isotope Production without
Highly Enriched Uranium”, which did conclude it is technically and economically feasible, was
released on January 14, 2009. The EPAct also requires DOE to issue a report to Congress
about the findings of the National Academies study and the existence of any commitments from
commercial producers to meet 100% of the U.S. need for Mo-99 without HEU consistent with
the feasibility criteria in the EPAct, and not later than the date that is four years after the date of
submission of the report (which is anticipated for October 2009).
The National Academies study also recommends that GTRI review other important
considerations that will strengthen the HEU minimization program. These include: development
of a worldwide data base of research and test reactors in coordination with the IAEA to include
large pulse reactors, critical facilities, and reactors with a defense orientated mission;
investigation to determine if it is feasible to convert these reactors and include in the scope
GTRI’s Convert program; and focus on eliminating HEU wastes that result from Mo-99
production facilities using U.S.-origin HEU and examining options to down blend the waste or
encourage its return to the United States.
2.2 The Remove Program
GTRI’s Remove Program supports the removal and disposal of excess nuclear and radiological
material from civilian sites worldwide. These efforts result in permanent threat reduction by
eliminating nuclear and radiological materials that terrorists could acquire. The materials
include U.S.-origin, Russian-origin and “gap” material that are not covered under the U.S. or
Russian programs. Excellent cooperation with partner countries has enabled the removal of
47% of the targeted vulnerable material to date. The complex nature of the nuclear material
shipments requires close coordination amongst host country, transporters, and final
destinations. GTRI completed 4 shipments in 2008, but in its effort to accelerate material
removal, it has scheduled 9 shipments in 2009, more that double the removals.
Removal of abandoned radiological materials in other countries include radioisotopic
thermoelectiric generators (known as RTGs), with emphasis on recovery within Russia. An
ambitious goal of removal or disposal of 851 Russian RTGs by 2017 has been established. The
close cooperation with Russian partners has resulted in successful removal of 50% to date.
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