Transcript Presentation, Dean Gallacher, DECC, medium to long

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
separated plutonium.
significant
stocks
of
– 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.