Parametric studies on plutonium transmutation using uranium-free fuels in light water reactors

摘要: To compare the once-through use of U-free fuels for plutonium burnup in light water reactors (LWRs), transmutation, minor actinide (MA) and long-life fission product (LLFP) buildup radiotoxicity hazards were compared PuO{sub 2} + ZrO{sub (rock-like oxide: ROX) ThO{sub (thorium TOX) fuels, loaded a soft-to-hard neutron spectrum LWR core (a moderator-to-fuel volume ratio V{sub m}/V{sub f} is from 0.5 to 3.0). For better understanding proper improvement reactivity coefficient problem ROX, fuel temperature coefficient, void delayed fraction also studied. A mixed-oxide (MOX)-fueled was considered reference purposes.From result cell calculation, ROX transmutes 90% net initially weapons-grade Pu, 2.5% Pu converted MAs when 2.0 discharge effective full-power days equivalent that 33 GWd/t MOX fuel. Reactor-grade Pu-based 80% 6.7% converts with same condition as TOX has good transmutation capability, but {supmore » 233}U production amount approximately half fissile amount. The MA lower than fuels. LLFP hazard spent fuels.The thermal energy region important problems. From these calculations, 15 20% {sup 232}Th-added seems best Pu-burning conventional LWRs, because its higher hazard.« less