Management and Disposition of Excess Weapons Plutonium

A supporting volume to a study by the Committee on International Security and Arms Control which dealt with the management and disposition of nuclear materials. This study concentrates on the option for the disposition of plutonium, looking at the reactors in which weapons plutonium could be burned and at the vitrification of plutonium.

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Within the next decade, many thousands of U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons are slated to be retired as a result of nuclear arms reduction treaties and unilateral pledges. Hundreds of tons of plutonium and highly enriched uranium will no longer be needed for weapons purposes and will pose urgent challenges to international security. This is the supporting volume to a study by the Committee on International Security and Arms Control which dealt with all phases of the management and disposition of these materials. This technical study concentrates on the option for the disposition of plutonium, looking in detail at the different types of reactors in which weapons plutonium could be burned and at the vitrification of plutonium, and comparing them using economic, security and environmental criteria.

Table of Contents


FRONT MATTER
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Background
Chapter 3: Criteria for Comparing Disposition Options
Chapter 4: Reactor Options
Chapter 5: Disposal of Plutonium Without Irradiation
Chapter 6: Comparing the Options
Chapter 7: Conclusions and Recommendations