US-DPRK Next Steps Workshop January 27, 2003Washington, D.C.
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US-DPRK Next Steps Workshop January 27, 2003 Washington, D.C. Yongbyon Spent Fuel Experience Presented by Mark Mohr Mark. mohr @ hq .doe. gov
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US-DPRK Next Steps Workshop January 27, 2003Washington, D.C. Yongbyon Spent Fuel Experience Presented by Mark Mohr [email protected]. Background. Under the Agreed Framework, signed between U.S. and DPRK in 1994, U.S. agreed to arrange for DPRK to receive two light- - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of US-DPRK Next Steps Workshop January 27, 2003Washington, D.C.
US-DPRK Next Steps WorkshopJanuary 27, 2003 Washington, D.C.
Yongbyon Spent Fuel Experience
Presented by Mark [email protected]
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
Background• Under the Agreed Framework, signed between U.S. and DPRK in 1994, U.S. agreed to arrange for DPRK to receive two light- water reactor (LWR) power plants, and 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil annually until first LWR came online
• In return, DPRK agreed to freeze its graphite-moderated reactors and related facilities and to dismantle eventually these reactors and related facilities
• U.S. and DPRK also agreed to cooperate in finding a method to store safely the spent fuel from the 5 MW (e) experimental reactor during the construction of the LWR project, and to dispose of the fuel in a safe manner that does not involve reprocessing in DPRK
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
Basic Data On Reactor And Fuel
• Discharged from reactor May-June 1994 time frame
• 8,017 fuel rods declared
• Contains 25-30 kg Plutonium
• Magnesium-zirconium cladding
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
DOE’s Responsibility
• Spent Fuel Canning
• Water Treatment
• Maintenance
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
Spent Fuel Canning
• Fuel sealed in cans and water removed to restrict corrosion; argon cover gas with 2% oxygen
• Canned fuel allows IAEA to monitor the fuel more easily
• Necessary first step in removing fuel from DPRK
• Cans minimize further escape of radioactive contaminants
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
StorageRack
SealPlate
Corners of storage rackto access canisters
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
Status
• All accessible fuel rods and pieces now canned
• Leaking canisters being repaired
• Spent fuel being maintained until removal
• Ultimate disposition of spent fuel yet to be determined
DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM
Costs
• About $34M to date
• Projected at approximately $2M per year for maintenance until removed from DPRK
