Comparison of the minor actinide transmutation efficiency in models of a fast neutron uranium-thorium fueled reactor

Abstract

In terms of nuclear raw materials, the issue of involving thorium in the fuel cycle is hardly very relevant. However, in view of the large-scale nuclear power development, the use of thorium seems to be quite natural and reasonable. The substitution of traditional uranium-plutonium fuel for uranium-thorium fuel in fast neutron reactors will significantly reduce the production of minor actinides, which will make it attractive for the transmutation of long-lived radioactive isotopes of americium, curium and neptunium that have already been and are still being accumulated. Due to the absence of uranium-233 in nature, the use of thorium in the nuclear power industry requires a closed fuel cycle. At the initial stage of developing the uranium-thorium cycle, it is proposed to use uranium-235 instead of uranium-233 as nuclear fuel. Studies have been carried out on the transmutation of minor actinides in a fast neutron reactor in which the uranium-thorium cycle is implemented. Several options for the structure of the core of such a reactor have been considered. It has been shown that heterogeneous placement of americium leads to higher rates of its transmutation than homogeneous placement does.

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“…Uranium-235 is the primary fissile material utilized in nuclear power reactors. Several studies are being conducted to examine uranium compounds important in the initial stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, such as uranium ore concentrates and other uranium compounds [57][58][59]. Enriched uranium is utilized for energy generation in reactors, but natural uranium can be employed in a less enriched state in some types of reactors.…”