Managing critical isotopes : stewardship of lithium-7 is needed to ensure a stable supply : report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.

Contributor:

United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (2011- ). Subcommittee on Oversight, sponsoring body.

Standardized Title:

Managing critical isotopes (2013 September)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of Energy--Rules and practice.

United States.

United States. Department of Energy.

Lithium--Isotopes--Management.

Lithium.

Nuclear reactors--Cooling.

Nuclear reactors.

Genre:

Rules.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 26 pages) : color illustration

Other Title:

Stewardship of lithium-7 is needed to ensure a stable supply

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : United States Government Accountability Office, 2013.

Summary:

About 13 percent of our nation's electricity is produced by pressurized water reactors that rely on lithium-7, an isotope of lithium produced and exported solely by China and Russia, for their safe operation. Lithium-7 is added to the water that cools the reactor core to prevent the cooling water from becoming acidic. Without the lithium-7, the cooling water's acidity would increase the rate of corrosion of pipes and other infrastructure, possibly causing them to fail. Utilities that operate the pressurized water reactors have experienced little difficulty obtaining lithium-7, but they may not be aware of all the risks of relying on two producers. GAO was asked to review the supply and domestic demand for lithium-7 and how risks are being managed. This report examines (1) what is known about the supply and demand of lithium-7, (2) what federal agencies are responsible for managing supply risks, and (3) alternative options to mitigate a potential shortage. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials from DOE, NNSA, and NRC, in addition to industry representatives. This report is an unclassified version of a classified report also issued in September 2013. GAO recommends that the Secretary of Energy ensure a stable future supply of lithium-7 by directing the Isotope Program to take on a stewardship role for lithium-7 by taking steps, including fully assessing risks and accurately determining domestic demand. DOE concurred with the recommendation.

Notes:

"September 2013."

Includes bibliographical references.

Online resource; title from PDF cover page (GAO, viewed Oct. 19, 2013).

"GAO-13-716."

OCLC:

861080467