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Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium Introduction: Dean Gallacher. 27 January 2010. Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium. The issue. The UK has accumulated significant stocks of separated plutonium.
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Medium to Long Term Management of UK PlutoniumIntroduction: Dean Gallacher 27 January 2010
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium The issue. • The UK has accumulated significant stocks of separated plutonium. • The Prime Minister said that we would bring forward detailed plans for the responsible management of our stocks of fissile materials and we would examine how best to deal with the stocks we have accumulated • So what should Government do with this plutonium?
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium The story so far • NDA macro-economic study paper, July 2007. • NDA plutonium options paper, August 2008 • Final NDA plutonium options paper January 2009. • For Government now to take a view on how to move forward with a strategy for long term plutonium management. • Government met with some stakeholders on 21 May 2009 • Key Factors Discussion Paper – July 2009 • Decision Methodology Paper – October 2009
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium The NDA Credible Options Paper • The NDAs three high level options • Disposal as waste • Recycling which would result in the material managed and ultimately disposed of as spent fuel • Continued storage for the foreseeable future pending a decision on the end state.
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium Disposal as Waste Different possibilities for disposal e.g. • Cementation • Low Specification MOX • Hot Isostatic Pressing • Immobilisation in Glass (vitrification)
Long Term Management of UK Plutonium Recycle as MOX Two primary options • Recycle in the UK through new nuclear • Recycle overseas
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium Continued Storage • Available now • Plutonium can be stored safely and security • Continued storage is not an easy or inexpensive option. • There is the likely need for the periodic repackaging into new cans and heat treatment of the plutonium to remove moisture
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium Why can’t we decide now? • We are still at the beginning of the process • The information we have on both the immobilisation options and the recycle options is too immature. • We don’t know how suitable immobilisation technologies will develop, or even if they will ever be available. • We don’t know whether recycling as MOX would be welcomed by potential new build operators. • There are many things that we need clarity on before we can be satisfied that we are taking the right decision
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium What are the next steps? • Ongoing work to classify the existing plutonium. • Gathering of further information to be able to provide a robust comparison of the immobilisation and recycle options. • It is for Government to set a strategic direction for medium to long term plutonium management.
Medium to Long Term Management of UK Plutonium A three phase approach • The Government’s plan is that the work to develop a final strategy for plutonium management will follow a three phase approach • The planned consultation marks the beginning of the first phase which will be an information gathering phase. • The second phase begins when we are confident that an option can be implemented and will take us to the point where we can take a final decision. • The third phase is where the chosen strategy will be implemented.