PROLIFERATION-PROTECTED, ULTRA-HIGH BURN-UP REACTOR FUEL PRODUCED IN THE THORIUM BLANKET OF A FUSION NEUTRON SOURCE

摘要

This paper aims at finding solutions of so importantproblems of nuclear power as decreasing the scope andthe number of technological operations, as well asenhancing the proliferation resistance of fissile materialsin nuclear fuel cycle by means of minimal changes in thecycle. The method is including fusion neutron sourceswith thorium blanket into future nuclear power system. Inaddition to production of light uranium fractionconsisting of ~(233)U and ~(234)U, high-energy 14-MeVneutrons emitted in the process of fusion (D,T)-reactioncan generate ~(231)Pa and ~(232)U through (n,2n)- and (n,3n)-reactions.It has been demonstrated that admixture of ~(231)Pa intofresh fuel composition can stabilize its neutronmultiplyingproperties thanks to two well-fissileconsecutive isotopes ~(232)U and ~(233)U, products of radiativeneutron capture by ~(231)Pa. Coupled system of two wellfissileisotopes can allow us to reach the following goals:the higher fuel burn-up and, as a consequence, the longerfuel lifetime; the shorter scope and the lower number oftechnological operations in nuclear fuel cycle; the bettereconomic potential of nuclear power technologies.