Thorium Fuel Performance in a Tight-Pitch Light Water Reactor Lattice
Journal Article
·
· Nuclear Technology
OSTI ID:20826743
- Purdue University (United States)
Research on the utilization of thorium-based fuels in the intermediate neutron spectrum of a tight-pitch light water reactor (LWR) lattice is reported. The analysis was performed using the Studsvik/Scandpower lattice physics code HELIOS. The results show that thorium-based fuels in the intermediate spectrum of tight-pitch LWRs have considerable advantages in terms of conversion ratio, reactivity control, nonproliferation characteristics, and a reduced production of long-lived radiotoxic wastes. Because of the high conversion ratio of thorium-based fuels in intermediate spectrum reactors, the total fissile inventory required to achieve a given fuel burnup is only 11 to 17% higher than that of {sup 238}U fertile fuels. However, unlike {sup 238}U fertile fuels, the void reactivity coefficient with thorium-based fuels is negative in an intermediate spectrum reactor. This provides motivation for replacing {sup 238}U with {sup 232}Th in advanced high-conversion intermediate spectrum LWRs, such as the reduced-moderator reactor or the supercritical reactor.
- OSTI ID:
- 20826743
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 138; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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