A comparison of fusion breeder/fission client and fission breeder/fission client systems for electrical energy production

Conference · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Nucl. Technol./Fusion; (United States)

OSTI ID:6204078

Land, R J; Parish, T A

A parametric study that evaluated the economic performance of breeder/client systems is described. The linkage of the breeders to the clients was modelled using the stockpile approach to determine the system doubling time. Since the actual capital costs of the breeders are uncertain, a precise prediction of the cost of a breeder was not attempted. Instead, the breakeven capital cost of a breeder relative to the capital cost of a client reactor was established by equating the cost of electricity from the breeder/client system to the cost of a system consisting of clients alone. Specific results are presented for two breeder/client systems. The first consisted of an LMFBR with LWR clients. The second consisted of a DT fusion reactor (with a /sup 238/U fission suppressed blanket) with LWR clients. The economics of each system was studied as a function of the cost of fissile fuel from a conventional source. Generally, the LMFBR/LWR system achieved relatively small breakeven capital cost ratios; the maximum ratio computed was 2.2 (achieved at approximately triple current conventional fissile material cost). The DTFR/LWR system attained a maximum breakeven capital cost ratio of 4.5 (achieved at the highest plasma quality (ignited device) and triple conventional fissile cost).

• Research Organization: Nuclear Engineering Dept., Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX 77843
• OSTI ID: 6204078
• Report Number(s): CONF-830406-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Nucl. Technol./Fusion; (United States) Journal Volume: 4:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700200* -- Fusion Energy-- Fusion Power Plant Technology
ACCOUNTING
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BREAKEVEN
BREEDER REACTORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
D-T REACTORS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY ACCOUNTING
ENERGY ANALYSIS
ENERGY BALANCE
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYBRID REACTORS
ISOTOPES
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUCLEI
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ISOTOPES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES