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ORNL-5388 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

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5-21<br />

5.2. FUEL RECYCLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS<br />

I. Spiewak<br />

Oak Ridge National Laboratory<br />

The purpose of this section is to summarize <strong>the</strong> technical problems that must be ad-<br />

dressed by a fuel recycle research and development program before reactor systems producing<br />

and using denatured uranium-thorium (DUTH) fuels can be deployed commercially. Preliminary<br />

estimates of <strong>the</strong> schedule and costs for such a program are also included to provide some<br />

perspective on <strong>the</strong> comnitments that will be required with <strong>the</strong> introduction of reactors<br />

operating on denatured fuels. Wide ranges in <strong>the</strong> estimates reflect <strong>the</strong> current uncertain-<br />

ties in <strong>the</strong> program.<br />

However, detailed studies of <strong>the</strong> research and development requirements<br />

for <strong>the</strong> recycle of DUTH fuels are now being conducted by <strong>the</strong> DOE Nuclear Power Division's<br />

Advanced Fuel Cycle Evaluation Program (AFCEP), and when <strong>the</strong> results from <strong>the</strong>se studies be-<br />

come available, <strong>the</strong> uncertainties in costs and schedules should be reduced.<br />

5.2.1. Technology Status Summary<br />

The technological areas in a fuel recycle program cover fuel fabrication/refabrication<br />

(fuel material preparation, rod fabrication, element assembly); fuel qualification (irradia-<br />

tion performance testing and evaluation); fuel reprocessing (headend treatment, solvent<br />

extraction, product conversion, off-gas treatment) ; and waste treatment (concentration, cal-<br />

ci nation, vi tri f i ca ti on, and radioact i ve-gas treatment).<br />

Fuel Fabri cation/Refabri cati on and Qual if i cati on<br />

In general, <strong>the</strong> basic technology for <strong>the</strong> fabrication of uranium oxide pellet fuels is<br />

established, with <strong>the</strong> fabrication of both LWR and HWR uranium fuels being conducted on a<br />

commercial scale. In contrast, Pu/U oxide pellet fuels have been fabricated only on a small<br />

pilot-plant scale, and a significant amount of research and development is still required.<br />

Areas requiring fur<strong>the</strong>r study include demonstration of:<br />

(1) a pelletizing process to ensure uniform product characteristics and performance;<br />

(2) methods for verifying and controlling <strong>the</strong> characteristics of <strong>the</strong> Pu/U fuels;<br />

(3) processes for <strong>the</strong> recovery of contaminated scrap;<br />

(4) a reliable nondestructive assay system for powders, fuel rods, and wastes;<br />

(5) <strong>the</strong> ability to operate a large-scale plant remotely, but with hands-on maintenance<br />

(in <strong>the</strong> case where Pu/U oxides containing high quality plutonium are being fabricated);<br />

and<br />

(6) satisfactory irradiation performance of Pu/U fuels produced in commercial-scale<br />

processes and equipment.

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