Role for thorium in the nuclear world
A high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) fuel cycle which uses thorium as the fertile material has been developed for a variety of uranium-feed enrichments. Considerable flexibility for meeting economic and political situations is possible with the use of medium-enriched uranium/thorium as the basic fresh fuel in the HTGR. The fuel options include once-through, without recycle; recycle U-233, which is either denatured or highly enriched; recycle U-233 and unburned U-235, which are denatured or highly enriched; and the long-term storage of plutonium, which is generated in the medium-enriched uranium cycle, for later use in a fast breeder or thermal reactor. The advantages of the uranium/thorium fuel cycle are good fuel-resource utilization and economic potential. Reprocessing, recycle, and shipping techniques have also been developed.
- Research Organization:
- Gen. At. Co.
- OSTI ID:
- 6291075
- Journal Information:
- Power; (United States), Vol. 123:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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