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6.3. CONCLUSIONS
The principal conclusions developed during the course of this study are summarized
in Tables 6.3-1, 6.3-2, and 6.3.3.
From the preceding discussion and Table 6.3-1, the following conclusions are drawn
for various nuclear systems operating on the throwaway cycle:
(1) With a U308 supply of 3.0 million ST below $160/lb, the maximum installed
capacity with the standard LWR on the throwaway cycle would be approximately 420 GWe,
and this would occur in about year 2006.
(2) A reduction in the U308 requirement of all LWRs commencing operation in 1981 and
thereafter by 6% would not significantly increase the maximum installed capacity. Thus, for
the case of the LWR on the throwaway cycle, the effort should be on improvements in U3O8 util-
ization significantly greater than 6% for LWRs commencing operation after 1981 or on improve-
ments which can be retrofitted into existing LWRs.
Table 6.3-1. Summary of Results for Nuclear Power Systems
Operating on the Throwaway/Stowaway Cycle
Technology Maximum Nuclear
Development Contribution Year of Maximum
Option Requirement (GWe 1 Contribution
High-Cost U308 supply
Standard LWR None 420 2006
Improved LWR LWR with extended discharge
exposure
430 201 0
LWR plus advanced
converter
SSCR, HTGR, or HWR 450 201 2*
LWR with improved Advanced enrichment
500 201 5
tails composition process
Intermedia te-Cos t u308 Supply
Standard LWR Successful U308 exploration
program
730 2030
LWR plus advanced
Converter
SSCR, HTGR, or HWR; also
successful U 308 expl oration
program
850 2035
*Depends on advanced converter concept and its introduction date.