Feasibility of the once-through thorium fuel cycle for CANDU reactors

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5539246

Galperin, A

A novel concept of thorium once-through fuel cycle for CANDU-type reactors is proposed. The main innovation of the concept is described, including segregation of enriched uranium from thorium to allow separate fuel management routes. Geometry is chosen to enhance leakage of uranium-born neutrons to sub-critical thorium parts of the core. Discharged burnup values for thorium and uranium are subjects to optimization regarding uranium savings benefit. Neutronic analysis indicated a potential for significant savings in the uranium requirement (approx. =50%). Fuel cycle cost calculations based on a simple economic model and reasonable set of economic parameters show no economic penalty in realizing fuel utilization improvements.

• Research Organization: Ben Gurion Univ. of the Negev, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84 105
• OSTI ID: 5539246
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 73:3; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210400* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Otherwise Moderated or Unmoderated
210802 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics-- Fuel Cycle
ACTINIDES
BURNUP
CANDU TYPE REACTORS
COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL MANAGEMENT
GEOMETRY
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
KINETICS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICS
METALS
NEUTRON LEAKAGE
OPTIMIZATION
PRESSURE TUBE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
THORIUM
URANIUM