U.S. Department of Energy’s Tritium and Enriched Uranium Management Plan Through 2060

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Nuclear Material Integration was charged with preparing a report for the U.S. Congress by June 30, 2013, containing a tritium and enriched uranium management plan through the year 2060.1 This plan is required to provide: (a) an assessment of the national security demand for tritium through 2060; (b) an assessment of the national security demand for low and highly enriched uranium through 2060; (c) a description of DOE’s plan to provide adequate amounts of tritium for national security purposes through 2060, including derivation of adequate supplies of enriched uranium for its use; (d) an analysis of planned and alternative tritium production technologies, including weapons dismantlement; and (e) an analysis of planned and alternative enriched uranium production technologies, including down-blending, which are available to meet the supply needs for national security programs through 2060. This paper discusses issues pertaining to the current status of the enriched uranium (EU) supply in national security areas, as well as some long-term challenges and gaps in processing capabilities and suggested activities to ensure long-term availability of EU through a combination of enhanced recycle and recovery of certain material forms and the development of new capabilities.