Weapon-Grade Plutonium Production Potential in the Indian Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

摘要: India is building a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, which scheduled to be operational by 2010. has refused accept international safeguards on this facility, raising concerns that the plutonium produced in its uranium blankets might used make nuclear weapons. Based neutronics calculations for detailed three-dimensional model of reactor, we estimate up 140 kg weapon-grade could with facility each year. This article shows how India's large stockpile separated reactor-grade from unsafeguarded spent heavy-water reactor fuel serve as makeup allow such diversion fast breeder reactor. We describe and assess most plausible refueling strategies producing way.