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lm, 1 I I I I
mf RR WITH UGHT rwrmiw TMMMUTATICU
Fig. 6.2-29. The Nuclear Contribution
of an LWR-FBR System with Light Plutonium
"Transmutation1' (High-Cost U308 Supply).
wf u - nif RR mm LIGHT MCUIUH TMMMUI*TION
I I , I I L I
0 I9e4 I990 mx, 1010 ma 2010 )Du) Iow
Fig. 6.2-31. Relative Nuclear Contri-
butions of Each Reactor Type in LWR-FBR
System with Light Plutonium "Transmutation"
(High-Cost U308 Supply).
Y€AR
6-42
I I I I I I
YEAR
Fig. 6.2-30. Relative Nuclear Contri-
butions of Reactors Located Inside (Pu-Fueled)
and Outside (Denatured LWRs) Energy Centers
(High-Cost U308 Supply).
for the LWR loaded with approximately 3% en-
riched 235U in either case is approximately
420 GWe. However, in this option, as the in-
stalled capacity of the 235U-loaded LWRs
decreases, the energy center FBRs produce in-
creasing amounts of 233U for the denatured LWRs,
and thus the total installed nuclear capacity con-
tinues to increase at a net rate of 15 GWe/yr.
The amount of fissile plutonium that must
be handled in the energy centers as fresh fuel
each year is shown in Fig. 6.2-32.
Approxi-
mately 620 kg of fissile plutonium per GWe must
be handled in this case, as compared to approxi-
mately 170 kg of fissile plutonium in fresh fuel per GWe each year for the case of plutonium
minimization and utilization. Thus, it appears that the ability to maintain an energy support
ratio greater than unity while simultaneously adding 15 GWe/yr will necessitate handling more
fissile plutonium in fresh fuel in the energy centers.
As pointed out'in previous cases, the ability to maintain a high energy support ratio
requires the development of a nuclear industry capable of reprocessing*fuel containing
thorium and refabricating fuel containing 232U.
loaded with approximately 3% enriched 235U comprises approximately 282 of the installed
capacity, the FBR comprises 48%, and the LWR loaded with 11% 233U in 238U comprises 24%.
Upon examining the flow of thorium and uranium metal associated with these reactors, it
can be seen that 38% of the reprocessing capacity must be capable of handling fuel con-
taining thorium and 27% of the fabrication industry must be capable of handling fuel
containing 2321).
In this option in the year 2035, the LWR
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