ORNL-5388 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

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ABSTRACT
A fuel cycle that employs 23% denatured with 23811 and mixed with thorium fertile
material is examined with respect to its proliferation-resistance characteristics and its
technical and economic feasibility. The rationale for considering the denatured 233U fuel
cycle is presented, and the impact of the denatured fuel on the performance of Light-Water
Reactors, Spectral-Shift-Control led Reactors, Gas-Cooled Reactors, Heavy-Water Reactors,
and Fast Breeder Reactors is discussed.
these reactors and their associated fuel cycles is also summarized and the resource require-
ments and economics of denatured 233U cycles are compared to those of the conventional
Pu/U cycle.
and are based on the energy center concept are evaluated.
power reactors fueled with denatured or low-enriched uranium fuel are supported by secure
energy centers in which sensitive activities of the nuclear cycle are performed. These
activities include 233U production by Pu-fueled "transmuters" (thermal or fast reactors)
and reprocessing. A summary chapter presents the most significant conclusions from the
study and recommends areas for future work.
The scope of the R,D&D programs to commercialize
In addition, several nuclear power systems that employ denatured 23% fuel
Under this concept, dispersed