TY - JOUR T1 - Converting the Iranian Heavy Water Reactor IR-40 to a More Proliferation-Resistant Reactor AU - Thomas Mo Willig, Cecilia Futsaether, Halvor Kippe PY - 2012 T2 - Science & Global Security SP - 97 EP - 116 VL - 20 IS - 2-3 N2 - This article assesses the feasibility and benefits of converting the Iranian heavy water research reactor, IR-40, from using natural uranium to low-enriched uranium fuel. Based on neutronics calculations for a detailed model of the two reactor configurations, a conversion would result in a smaller core with a subsequent reduction and degradation of plutonium production. It is argued that the proposed conversion will provide Iran with a research reactor that is better suited for scientific experiments and radioisotope production than in its original configuration. It is proposed to introduce the converted IR-40's fuel consumption requirements as a natural cap for Iran's future enrichment efforts. UR - 0