Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Thorium fuel-cycle studies for CANDU reactors

Boczar, P.G.; Chan, P.S.W.; Dyck, G.R.; Ellis, R.J.; Jones, R.T.; Sullivan, J.D. Sullivan; Taylor, P. (Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (Canada))

Abstract

The high neutron economy of the CANDU reactor, its ability to be refuelled while operating at full power, its fuel channel design, and its simple fuel bundle provide an evolutionary path for allowing full exploitation of the energy potential of thorium fuel cycles in existing reactors. AECL has done considerable work on many aspects of thorium fuel cycles, including fuel-cycle analysis, reactor physics measurements and analysis, fuel fabrication, irradiation and PIE studies, and waste management studies. Use of the thorium fuel cycle in CANDU reactors ensures long-term supplies of nuclear fuel, using a proven, reliable reactor technology.

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key words: candu type reactors; fuel management; fuel pellets; mixed oxide fuels; neutron flux; reactor lattice parameters; reactor lattices; redox reactions; shippingport reactor; thorium 232; thorium cycle; thorium oxides
Reference:
Proceedings of three IAEA meetings held in Vienna in 1997, 1998 and 1999
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IAEA-TECDOC--1319, pp:25-41