Long-term storage of plutonium

摘要

Plutonium storage practices at DOE facilities evolved over decades during which the objectives of Department programs were to support nuclear weapons development and production. These practices reflected a desire to maintain plutonium in metal form for prompt recycling into weapon components. The end of the Cold War and the new arms control agreements are leading to the retirement of large numbers of nuclear weapons. In addition, much of the nuclear material at the DOE sites has been declared surplus, which has resulted in inventories of plutonium that exceed defense needs and will necessitate longer term storage until final disposition.