Pages: 3-10

Authors: Boris R. Bergelson, Alexander S. Gerasimov, Georgy V. Tikhomirov

Abstract

The results of optimization calculations for CANDU reactors operating in the thorium cycle are presented in this paper. Calculations were performed to validate the feasibility of operating a heavy-water thermal neutron power reactor in a self-sufficient thorium cycle. Two modes of operation were considered in the paper: the mode of preliminary accumulation of ²³³U in the reactor itself and the mode of operation in a self-sufficient cycle. For the mode of accumulation of ²³³U, it was assumed that enriched uranium or plutonium was used as additional fissile material to provide neutrons for ²³³U production. In the self-sufficient mode of operation, the mass and isotopic composition of heavy nuclei unloaded from the reactor should provide (after the removal of fission products) the value of the multiplication factor of the cell in the following cycle K > 1. Additionally, the task was to determine the geometry and composition of the cell for an acceptable burnup of ²³³U. The results obtained demonstrate that the realization of a self-sufficient thorium mode for a CANDU reactor is possible without using new technologies. The main features of the reactor ensuring a self-sufficient mode of operation are a good neutron balance and moving of fuel through the active core.

Key words: thorium cycle, CANDU reactor, self-sufficient mode

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