Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

IAEA-TECDOC--412: Thorium-based nuclear fuel: current status and perspectives.

Proceedings of a technical committee meeting on utilization of thorium-based nuclear fuel: current status and perspectives held in Vienna, 2-4 December 1985

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria), IAEA-TECDOC--412

Abstract

Until the present time considerable efforts have already been made in the area of fabrication, utilization and reprocessing of Th-based fuels for different types of reactors, namely: by FRG and USA - for HTRs. FRG and Brazil, Italy - for LWRs. India - for HWRs and FBRs. Basic research of thorium fuels and thorium fuel cycles are also being undertaken by Australia, Canada, China, France, FRG, Romania, USSR and other countries. Main emphasis has been given to the utilization of thorium fuels in once-through nuclear fuel cycles, but in some projects closed thorium-uranium or thorium-plutonium fuel cycles are also considered. The purpose of the Technical Committee on the Utilization of Thorium-Based Nuclear Fuel: Current Status and Perspective was to review the world thorium resources, incentives for further exploration, obtained experience in the utilization of Th-based fuels in different types of reactors, basic research, fabrication and reprocessing of Th-based fuels. As a result of the panel discussion the recommendations on future Agency activities and list of major worldwide activities in the area of Th-based fuel were developed.

view the full text of this conference report (format: PDF, size= 6862kB, 158 pages)

see also:

Articles

An overview of world thorium resources, incentives for further exploration and forecast for thorium requirements in the near future
Jayaram, K.M.V. (Department of Atomic Energy, Hyderabad (India). Atomic Minerals Div.)

IAEA activities in nuclear fuel technology, performance and utilization including the role of thorium-based fuel
Onufriev, V. (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). Dept. of Nuclear Energy and Safety)

Thorium utilization in PWRs: status of work in the cooperative Brazilian/German program
Peehs, M.; Schlosser, G. (Kraftwerk Union A.G., Erlangen (Germany, F.R.)); Pinheiro, R.B. (Empresas Nucleares Brasileiras SA, Belo Horizonte); Maly, V. (Kernforschungsanlage Juelich G.m.b.H. (Germany, F.R.)); Hrovat, M. (Nuklear-Chemie und -Metallurgie G.m.b.H. (NUKEM), Hanau (Germany, F.R.))

Thorium cycle in unmodified PWRs
Gambier, G.; Schaeffer, H. (Electricite de France, 92 - Clamart. Direction des Etudes et Recherches)

Thorium utilization in solving the nuclear power fuel problem
Slesarev, I.S.; Morozov, A.G.; Tsurikov, D.F. (Gosudarstvennyj Komitet po Ispol'zovaniyu Atomnoj Ehnergii SSSR, Moscow. Inst. Atomnoj Ehnergii)

Basic research on utilization of thorium-based nuclear fuel
Zhang, J.H.; Bao, B.R.; Xia, Y.X.; Wang, G.Q.; Zhu, J.B. (Academia Sinica, Shanghai, SH (China). Shanghai Inst. of Nuclear Research)

Thorium oxide blanket fabrication for Indian fast breeder test reactor
Balakrishna, P.; Varma, B.P.; Rajendran, R.; Balaramamoorthy, K. (Department of Atomic Energy, Hyderabad (India). Nuclear Fuel Complex)

Reprocessing and refabrication of thorium-based fuel
Zimmer, E.; Ganguly, C. (Kernforschungsanlage Juelich G.m.b.H. (Germany, F.R.). Inst. fuer Chemische Technologie der Nuklearen Entsorgung)

Operative experience in first campaign for reprocessing of uranium-thorium Elk-River fuel elements
Candelieri, T. (ENEA, Policoro (Italy). Dept. Ciclo del Combustible)