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ORNL-5388 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

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5-9<br />

Table 5.1-1. Government Research and Development Required to Convert<br />

Light-Water Reactors to Denatured Uranium-Thorium Fuel Cycles<br />

(20% 235U/238U-Th or 20% 233U/238U-Th)<br />

Assumptions: All basic reactor R&D required for commercialization of LWRs operating on<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir reference fuel cycle (LEU) has been completed.<br />

Use of denatured fuel can be demonstrated in a current-generation LWR.<br />

Because utility sponsoring demonstration will be taking some risk of<br />

decreased reactor avilability, a 25% government subsidy is assumed for<br />

a 3-year demonstration program.<br />

Note: LWRs can be operated on <strong>the</strong> denatured 235U/238U-Th fuel cycle before any o<strong>the</strong>r reactor<br />

system; however, <strong>the</strong>y cannot be economically competitive with LWRs operating on <strong>the</strong><br />

LEU once-through cycle because higher U308 requirements are associated with thorium<br />

fuel. Any commercial LWRs operating on a denatured cycle before <strong>the</strong> year 2000 must<br />

be subsidized.<br />

A. Data base development<br />

Research and Development<br />

Al. Physics verification program 10<br />

Improve cross sections for Th, 233U, Pa, etc.<br />

Measure resonance integrals for denatured uranium-<br />

thorium fuels at room temperature and at elevated<br />

temperatures.<br />

Perform and analyze critical experiments for<br />

each fuel.<br />

A2. Fuel-performance program<br />

Perform in-reactor properties experiments<br />

Perform power ramp experiments<br />

Perform fuel-rod irradiation experiments<br />

Perform transient tests<br />

cost<br />

($MI<br />

I<br />

(30 - 150)=<br />

B. Reactor components development (develop hand1 ing 5 - 25<br />

equipment/procedures for radioactive 232Lcon-<br />

taining fresh fuel elements).<br />

C. Demonstration design and licensing 20 - 100<br />

C1. Develop core design changes as required for<br />

denatured fuels<br />

C2.<br />

Perform safety analysis of modified core<br />

D.<br />

C3. Prepare safety analysis report (SAR); carry<br />

through licensing<br />

Demonstration of LWR operating on denatured fuel 5ob - 200-<br />

( pro ba b 1 y 5U / 8U -T h )<br />

aWould be included in fuel recycle R&D costs (see Section 5.2).<br />

%Jotential government subsidy; i.e., total cost of demonstration is $200M.

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