Two of the three plutonium production reactors that Russia still operates, will be shut down about six months ahead of schedule. The reactors, located at Seversk/Tomsk-7, will stop operations in summer, not at the end of 2008, as it was previously planned. The third plutonium production reactor, in Zheleznogorsk/Krasnoyarsk-26, will be shut down after 2010.
Together, three reactors were estimated to produce about 1.2 tonnes of weapon-grade plutonium annually, although Russia reported that that in recent years the reactors in Seversk operated at about half of their capacity, producing less plutonium.
The book
Comments
Pavel:
Do these reactors represent all the "new" weapon-grade plutonium production in Russia?
Frank Shuler
USA
Yes, these are the only reactors that produce weapon-grade Pu.
For what reason Russia operates these reactors so long? I mean there should be enough weapon-grade Pu from dismantled weapons to produce new warheads in big numbers.
As far as I know (Frank, please correct me if I´m wrong) the US shut down Pu production in the mid 90´s and HEU procution in the 60´s.
Or are these reactors also used to produce Pu238 for inteligence and space applications?
Martin:
To the best of my knowledge, you're correct on the US nuclear programs.
Frank Shuler
USA
Martin: The reactors produce heat for the cities nearby - Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk. So, they cannot be shut down unless there is an alternative source of heat.