Characteristics of plutonium-topped thorium cycles in heavy-water-moderated pressure tube reactors

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6241279

Banerjee, S ^[1]; Barclay, F W

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1. McMaster Univ., Ontario, Canada

Thorium cycles in heavy-water-moderated pressure tube reactors are expected to lead to much better nuclear fuel utilization than the current natural uranium once-through fuel cycle. The extent to which various parameters affect fuel cycle economics and uranium requirements during the approach to equilibrium conditions for first-generation plutonium-topped thorium cycle reactors has been studied. The results are compared with systems in which equilibrium has been achieved to elucidate the significant differences between first- and second-generation thorium cycle reactors.

• OSTI ID: 6241279
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 43:1; 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
ACTINIDES
BURNUP
CANDU TYPE REACTORS
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
FUEL CYCLE
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
METALS
OPTIMIZATION
PLUTONIUM
PRESSURE TUBE REACTORS
REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
THORIUM CYCLE
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS