Safety Issues Associated with Plutonium Involvement in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

This text draws together Russian and Western specialists in a discussion of problems associated with the safe elimination of both weapons-grade and reactor-grade plutonium in reactors. The papers generally concern safety issues associated with utilizing plutonium in the nuclear fuel cycle, including facility requirements, licensing issues, proliferation risks, and a variety of advanced concepts for nuclear fuel cycles. The book moves from a discussion of general considerations for plutonium use/disposal to cover aspects of the fuel cycle and reprocessing aspects, its use in existing and near-future reactors, and its use in advanced reactors.