Feasibility assessment of the once-through thorium fuel cycle for the PTVM LWR concept. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rachamin, R.; Fridman, E.; Galperin, A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 85(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1119
• Page End: 1130
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Pressure tube reactor -- "Breed & burn" -- Moderator variation -- Seed–blanket geometry -- Once-through thorium fuel cycle; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2015.07.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: The PTVM LWR is an innovation reactor concept operating in a "breed & burn" mode. An advanced once-through thorium fuel cycle for the PTVM LWR concept is proposed. The PTVM LWR concept makes use of a seed-blanket geometry. A novel fuel management scheme based on two separate fuel flow routes is analyzed. The analysis indicates a potential for utilizing the fuel in an efficient manner. Abstract: This paper investigates the feasibility of a once-through thorium fuel cycle for the novel reactor-design concept named the pressure tube light water reactor with variable moderator control (PTVM LWR). The PTVM LWR operates in a "breed & burn" mode, which makes it an attractive system for utilizing thorium fuel in a once-through mode. The "breed & burn" mode can emphasize the in situ generation as well as incineration of 233 U, which are the basic foundations of the once-through thorium fuel cycle. The PTVM LWR concept makes use of a seed–blanket geometry, whereby the core is divided into separated regions of thorium-based fuel channel assemblies (blanket) and low-enriched uranium (LEU) based fuel channel assemblies (seed). A novel fuel in-core management scheme based on two separate fuel flow routes (i.e., seed route and blanket route) is proposed and analyzed. Neutronic performance analysis indicates that the proposed novel fuel in-core management scheme has the potential to utilize both LEU- and thorium-based fuel in an efficient manner. The once-through thorium cycle, presented and discussed in this paper, provide interesting research leads and can serve as a bridge between current LEU-based fuel cycles and a thorium fuel cycle based on recycling of 233 U.