Use of depleted uranium for higher isotope Pu

It was stated by HAPO representatives at meetings held in Washington and Savannah River on May 1st and 2nd, that roughly 200 kgs of Pu of 18 percent Pu-240 could be furnished by July 1, 1965 to Savannah River for their proposed Cm-244 program. The Pu would be produced by irradiating .2 percent U-235 depleted uranium for a period of roughly ten months. The reactivity required for the depleted uranium irradiation would be furnished by .947 percent U-235 enriched uranium. Nine tons of slightly enriched uranium would be required for each ton of depleted uranium during its complete irradiation. To implement this program to deliver Pu of high isotope content by July 1, 1965 will require immediate internal program approvals and appropriate implementation steps. These steps will include design and specification of the depleted uranium ordering appropriate quantities of E and depleted; determining and ordering appropriate canning components; and determining reactor loading patterns. Special attention will ultimately be required in the separation of the reactor products. The additional quantities of E-metal required for the loading will probably necessitate early installation of the annular type Purex dissolver.