Low-decontamination approach to a proliferation-resistant fuel cycle. [BWR; PWR; LMFBR]

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6434744

Asquith, J G; Grantham, L F

To prevent the diversion of nuclear material from power production to weapon production either by a nation or by clandestine groups within a nation, the nuclear fuel cycle must be proliferation-resistant and safeguarded. Potentially proliferation-resistant and safeguarded fuel cycles based on low-decontamination pyroreprocessing have been developed for the light water reactor (LWR), fast breeder reactor (FBR), and FBR-LWR combination. The major penalty for recycling fission products to the LWR is that fuel enrichment must be somewhat greater to overcome parasitic fission product absorption of neutrons. In the FBR, the major penalty is a slight reduction in breeding ratio due to the displacement of fertile material by fission products. Preliminary cost analysis indicates that these fuel cycles are economically competitive with fuel cycles using conventional reprocessing or those using virgin uranium if spent fuel storage costs are considered.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International, Canoga Park, CA
• OSTI ID: 6434744
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 41:2; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
210500 -- Power Reactors
Breeding
BREEDER REACTORS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
ECONOMICS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FUEL CYCLE
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
PROLIFERATION
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTORS
REPROCESSING
SAFEGUARDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS