Nuclear reactor, retrofitted to breed, is deemed virtually proliferation-proof

Journal Article · Mon Oct 03 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Energy Res. Rep.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7215239

A demonstration light-water breeder reactor based on the uranium-thorium fuel cycle and capable of retrofitting to conventional light-water reactors with only minor plant changes has gone critical in Shippingport, Pa. Thorium-cycle reactors can extend uranium supplies and eliminate many of the proliferation concerns that surround breeders producing plutonium. In this breeder, neutrons migrate to the thorium blanket and convert thorium to U-233 fuel. Details of the reactor's operation include a low-cost estimate by ERDA for producing prebreeders that can be retrofitted or incorporated in new plant designs in order to build up a large-enough U-233 inventory to load a 1000-MW breeder. Alternatives to plutonium-producing breeders also include the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, a modified Canadian deuterium-uranium reactor, and a slow-neutron thermal breeder. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 7215239
• Journal Information: Energy Res. Rep.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Res. Rep.; (United States) Vol. 4:18; ISSN ERRED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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NUCLEAR FACILITIES
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PROLIFERATION
RADIATION FLUX
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THORIUM REACTORS