Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Thorium-based fuel design for incineration of excess weapon grade plutonium in existing PWRs

Galperin, A. (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel)); Todosow, M. (Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY (United States))

Abstract

The main objective of the present design is to use thorium based fuel for an efficient incineration of excess weapon grade plutonium. A heterogeneous, seed-blanket (SBU) fuel assembly design was adopted. The main design approach is to use plutonium as a seed fuel providing neutrons to a subcritical blanket loaded mainly with thorium. The seed subassembly fuel consists of Pu/Zr metal alloy and the blanket subassembly fuel consists of Th-Pu-U mixed oxide. The plutonium provides a fissile component, while natural uranium part is added to denature (dilute) the 233U built-up in thorium. This design is usually designated as the Radkowsky Thorium Fuel (RTF). A simulation of an 'equilibrium' cycle demonstrated the feasibility of the RTF design with an efficient plutonium incineration. Advantages of thorium-based SBU assembly design in compliance with the standard PWR control system requirements are also demonstrated.

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key words: breeding blankets; fuel assemblies; nuclear disarmament; nuclear weapons dismantlement; plutonium; pwr type reactors; thorium cycle; transmutation
Reference:
Proceedings of three IAEA meetings held in Vienna in 1997, 1998 and 1999
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IAEA-TECDOC--1319, pp:251-256