ORNL-5388 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

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CASE BL -THE FBR WITH MAW PLUTONIUM IUNSMVTATION
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Fig. 6.2-33. The Nuclear Contributions
of an LWR-FBR System with Heavy Plutonium
"Transmutation" (High-Cost U308 Supply).
6-45
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W E 8L - IHE FER WITH HEAW PLUTONIUM TUMMUTATlON
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YEAR
Fiq. 6.2-34. Relative Contributions
of Reaciors Located Inside (Pu-Fueled) and
Outside (Denatured LWRs and FBRs) Energy
Centers (High-Cost U308 Supply).
In this option the annual consumption of U308 is approximately 25 ST U308 i n year
2035, decreasing thereafter as the LWRs loaded with 235U are replaced by the LWRs loaded
with 233U. Approximately 430 kg of fissile plutonium per GWe of installed capacity must
be handled as fresh fuel each year within energy centers, somewhat less than the 620 kg
that must be handled in Option 6. The ability to maintain a high energy support ratio
while simultaneously adding 15 GWeIyr again requires the development of a nuclear industry
capable of reprocessing fuel containing thorium and refabricating fuel containing 232U.
Figure 6.2-35 shows that 65% of the reprocessing capacity in year 2025 must be capable of
handling fuel containing thorium and that 31% of the refabrication capacity must be capable
of handling fuel containing 232U.
The effect of deleting the denatured FBR from the system is shown in Figs. 6.2-36 and
6.2-37. Figure 6.2-36 shows that without the denatured FBR the installed nuclear capacity
reaches a maximum of approximately 840 GWe in about 2035 and declines continuously thereafter.
The reason for this, of course, is that without the denatured FBR the system has
a net breeding ratio of less than unity. Therefore, while the system can multiply the
fissile supply significantly, it cannot continue to grow indefinitely. The nuclear capacity
that must be located in energy centers for the modified Case 8L is shown in Fig. 6.2-37.
This capacity does not exceed 140 GWe throughout the planning horizon. The amount of
capacity available for location outside the secure regions ranges from approximately
300 GWe in the year 2000 to approximately 700 GWe in year 2035.
In summary, a strategy based on an FBR with a Pu-Th core and a thorium blanket can
supply a net addition rate of 15 GWe/yr to year 2050 and beyond provided a denatured breeder
is included in the system. If the denatured breeder is not included, then the maximum
nuclear contribution would be approximately 840 GWe. The amount of nuclear capacity that
must be located in secure regions does not exceed 140 GWe in this case.