Nuclear fission sustainability with subcritical reactors driven by external neutron sources

摘要: Abstract Although nuclear breeder reactors are a promising way to enhance the potential energy currently retrievable from Uranium reserves, they still have disadvantages because of their safety features (i.e. poor stabilizing mechanisms) and security fuel cycle (diversion Pu for non-civilian purposes). Loading natural fuels reactor completely burning them without reprocessing would be ideal, however, this is not possible in critical due limitations imposed by maximum achievable burn-up. An alternative option attain very high percentages materials exploitation, while meeting other objectives Nuclear Sustainability, could consist using externally-driven subcritical reach desired burn-ups (of order 30% more) reprocessing. Such scheme lead an efficient exploitation available raw material, any risk proliferation. Exploring type concept, paper analyzes different ways accomplish goal identifying setbacks.