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Front-end nuclear fuel supply cooperation: Turning allied interdependence into strategic advantage
The global nuclear revival, which is fueled by unprecedented demand for firm, affordable, dispatchable power for artificial intelligence and data center build-out, energy security imperatives, and climate commitments, has exposed a structural reality of the Western fuel cycle: No single allied nation currently possesses the full suite of front-end capabilities. From mining through conversion, enrichment, fabrication, and the emerging deconversion and metallization steps required for reactor fuels, capability is distributed across Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (collectively, the “Sapporo Five”), as well as a small group of close partners.
Jerry L. Stakebake
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 78 | Number 4 | August 1981 | Pages 386-392
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE81-A21372
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Kinetics for the reaction of oxygen with plutonium hydride have been measured in oxygen at 1.33 kPa and over a temperature range of 90 to 360°C. The initial reaction takes place with a very low activation energy and is limited by the formation of a protective oxide film. The protective nature of the oxide film product is dependent on the temperature. Once the oxide film is formed, the oxidation reaction is a linear process controlled by oxygen diffusion. Measurements were conducted on hydrides prepared from pure plutonium as well as a plutonium/gallium alloy.