Plant Modifications for Mixed Oxide Fuel Use in U.S. Reactors

Duke Power’s McGuire Nuclear Station and Catawba Nuclear Station have been selected to aid in the disposal of weapons grade plutonium. In order for McGuire and Catawba to transition to a 40% MOX core, several plant modifications are required. Among these are: 1) transition to enriched soluble boron, 2) security enhancements due to presence of strategic special nuclear materials, 3) transportation interface modifications, and 4) reactor protection and control modifications. This paper describes the modifications that will enable the timely disposition of surplus weapons grade plutonium in the McGuire and Catawba reactors.