Proliferation issues related to fast SMRs

This paper contributes to the literature on proliferation risks of small modular reactors. After a general discussion of SMR developments, in the main section of this paper we present an analysis of a generic sodium-cooled fast reactor designed to sustain an unusual lifetime of 30 years, similar to concepts such as the Toshiba 4S. For this reactor, material composition over lifetime is calculated and its material attractiveness compared to (spent) fuel from other reactor types. Depletion calculations show that a significant amount of plutonium is produced over time with an isotopic composition highly attractive for military purposes.