Virginia Tech
    • Log in
    View Item 
    •   VTechWorks Home
    • ETDs: Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Masters Theses
    • View Item
    •   VTechWorks Home
    • ETDs: Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Masters Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    An analysis of plutonium accountability in the COPRECAL process

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    LD5655.V855_1985.E343.pdf (1.896Mb)
    Downloads: 144
    Date
    1985
    Author
    Eckenrode, Mark D.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    In the late 1970's, emphasis on non-proliferation forced suspension of all commercial spent-fuel reprocessing. The spent-fuel storage problem plaguing the nuclear industry can be alleviated by reprocessing. For commercial spentfuel reprocessing to again become a reality, a process is needed to reform reprocessing operations such that non-proliferation goals are satisfied. To satisfy these goals, the existing process which generates plutonium-nitrate solution must be altered to generate plutonium-uranium oxide powder. The COPRECAL process is designed to produce this solid. The COPRECAL process allows uranium and plutonium to be extracted from spent-fuel for reuse in commercial lightwater reactors. The COPRECAL process is unique in that no pure plutonium is ever present throughout the process, whether the COPRECAL process is intrinsically vulnerable to plutonium diversion is the object of this work. A simulation model of the COPRECAL process is presented which employs state-of-the-art instrumentation to measure in-process plutonium through the simulated passage of time. Plutonium diversion schemes are incorporated into the model. After simulated thefts, model output statistics are plotted on control charts and analyzed. Results show need for major design changes in the COPRECAL process.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10919/50099
    Collections
    • Masters Theses [19687]

    If you believe that any material in VTechWorks should be removed, please see our policy and procedure for Requesting that Material be Amended or Removed. All takedown requests will be promptly acknowledged and investigated.

    Virginia Tech | University Libraries | Contact Us
     

     

    VTechWorks

    AboutPoliciesHelp

    Browse

    All of VTechWorksCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Log inRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    If you believe that any material in VTechWorks should be removed, please see our policy and procedure for Requesting that Material be Amended or Removed. All takedown requests will be promptly acknowledged and investigated.

    Virginia Tech | University Libraries | Contact Us