nbsp   Can uranium from dismantled warheads be used as fuel in power reactors?
[A. CANDU Technology] [B. The Industry] [C. Cost/Benefit] [D. Safety/Liability] [E. Waste] [F. Security/Non-Proliferation] [G. Uranium] [H. Research Reactors] [I. Other R&D] [J. Further Info] Thousands of dismantled nuclear warheads on this planet, rendered inoperative in accordance with international treaties, can be viewed as potential sources of civilian nuclear reactor fuel. This is true whether the warheads were made with plutonium (treated separately in FAQ F.1), or uranium. There is a greater abundance of dismantled uranium warheads than plutonium warheads on the planet; however, unlike plutonium, weapons-grade uranium can be easily denatured to reactor-grade at its point of origin, and shipped internationally in this form. In this manner thousands of warheads from Russia have already been transformed into useful reactor fuel, through an agreement between that country and the United States. For further information see the World Nuclear Association briefing paper on this subject.
