US-DPRK Next Steps WorkshopJanuary 27, 2003 Washington, D.C.

Yongbyon Spent Fuel Experience

Presented by Mark MohrMark.mohr@hq.doe.gov

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

Background• Under the Agreed Framework, signed between U.S. and DPRK in 1994, U.S. agreed to arrange for DPRK to receive two light- water reactor (LWR) power plants, and 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil annually until first LWR came online

• In return, DPRK agreed to freeze its graphite-moderated reactors and related facilities and to dismantle eventually these reactors and related facilities

• U.S. and DPRK also agreed to cooperate in finding a method to store safely the spent fuel from the 5 MW (e) experimental reactor during the construction of the LWR project, and to dispose of the fuel in a safe manner that does not involve reprocessing in DPRK

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

Basic Data On Reactor And Fuel

• Discharged from reactor May-June 1994 time frame

• 8,017 fuel rods declared

• Contains 25-30 kg Plutonium

• Magnesium-zirconium cladding

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

DOE’s Responsibility

• Spent Fuel Canning

• Water Treatment

• Maintenance

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

Spent Fuel Canning

• Fuel sealed in cans and water removed to restrict corrosion; argon cover gas with 2% oxygen

• Canned fuel allows IAEA to monitor the fuel more easily

• Necessary first step in removing fuel from DPRK

• Cans minimize further escape of radioactive contaminants

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

StorageRack

SealPlate

Corners of storage rackto access canisters

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

Status

• All accessible fuel rods and pieces now canned

• Leaking canisters being repaired

• Spent fuel being maintained until removal

• Ultimate disposition of spent fuel yet to be determined

DPRK SPENT FUELDISPOSITION PROGRAM

Costs

• About $34M to date

• Projected at approximately $2M per year for maintenance until removed from DPRK