Issues and potential program on denatured fuel utilization. Final report
This study was performed to review the issues involved in implementing an alternative fuel cycle that may contribute to reducing the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation. The objectives of this report are to discuss the political, technical, and economic issues that will affect the acceptance and use of the denatured fuel cycle and to identify a possible program plan typical of that which would be required to foster acceptance by U.S. utilities. One of the more promising methods involves the use of a mixture of uranium and thorium oxides as reactor fuel (denatured fuel cycle). By reducing U-238 content, the amount of plutonium produced can be correspondingly reduced. However, thorium in the fuel results in the production of U-233. For current LWRs, a reasonable compromise would reduce plutonium production by a factor of 4 or more, while avoiding the existence of uranium enriched to more than 12% U-233 or 20% U-235. Further reduction in plutonium production could be accomplished, but only by using fuel more highly enriched in U-233 or U-235. To avoid unwarranted impact on U308 resource requirements, reprocessing and recycle of the U-233 produced will be necessary. Factors that would effect the acceptance and use of denatured fuel by the nuclear power industry are considered.
- Research Organization:
- Southern Science Applications, Inc., Dunedin, FL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC8NC109
- OSTI ID:
- 7079570
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-084865
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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