Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: 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)

Abstract

The future large nuclear energy appears to be a many-branched industry. Creation of such an industry and dimensions of its beneficial influence on the development of industrial production depends to a great extent on the capability to generate relatively low-priced fuel on the basis of commercial nuclear breeding. So far no universal approach has been available for solving the nuclear fuel problem, though some realistic and effective ways to ease its acuteness have been developed. The most radical means for solving the fuel problem is application of fast breeder reactors in combination with improved fuel utilization characteristics of the thermal reactors. Among the ways realizing the improved fuel balance in the thermal reactors emphasis should be placed on use of the Uranium-233 - Thorium cycle. The available estimates of fuel utilization by the thermal reactors on U/Th cycle are indicative of its attractiveness. The paper considers a method for Uranium buildup in the blankets of current fast reactors, required for transition to the Uranium-233 - Thorium cycle in the thermal systems. It is shown that thorium utilization contributes noticeably to the nuclear fuel resources. Combination of the Uranium-Plutonium and Thorium cycles ensures long-term fuel supply, makes the nuclear energy production more flexible and, at realistic requirements to the level of fast reactor breeding, enables the self-provision regime to be realized in future.

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key words: breeding ratio; forecasting; planning; thermal reactors; thorium cycle; uranium requirements; uranium reserves
Reference:
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, pp:59-66