Expert Opinion on Research Reactor Munich II
Abstract
The Research Reactor Munich II is operated with weapon-grade highly enriched uranium. However, international efforts are under way over more than four decades to enforce the renunciation of HEU for research reactors. This is possible due to the development and the use of high density low enriched uranium (LEU). Currently, the adequate management of spent fuel and the reactor conversion from HEU to LEU is again in the focus of debate. Related questions of the "Nationales Begleitgremium" (according to the law on final disposition) are answered within a scientific expert opinion: 1) What kind of problems could the highly radioactive waste amounts generate for nuclear non-proliferation? 2) What kind of safety risks could be related to interim storage? 3) What kind problems could be caused by final disposition? 4) How the renunciation of the use of HEU is possible in the future in order to avoid more waste of this kind? 5) How can and must the final disposal of highly enriched spent fuel be done in Germany? A special focus is on the scientific examination of question 4.
keywords Research Reactor Conversion Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Criticality inside Final Disposal Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Publikationen
Project staff
Wolfgang Liebert
Univ.-Prof. i.R. Dipl.-Phys. Dr.phil.nat. Wolfgang Liebert
liebert@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81814
Project Leader
22.10.2017 - 21.12.2017