Safeguards and security considerations associated with the use of mixed-oxide fuel in U.S. commercial reactors

The US Department of Energy`s overall plutonium disposition strategy includes irradiation of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel derived from surplus weapons-usable plutonium via domestic, commercial reactors. The storage, handling, and irradiation of weapons-usable plutonium-derived MOX fuel will increase the requirements for safeguards and security at commercial light-water reactor sites, which presently only use low-enriched uranium fuel. Applicable safeguards and security regulations and requirements for the reactor irradiation services portion of the project are discussed in this topical report. Requirements for the MOX fuel fabrication portion of the project are discussed in a separate report