ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MIXED URANIUM-PLUTONIUM FUEL IN VVER

摘要

An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of burning mixed uranium-plutonium fuel in WER reactors is made as a function of the price of natural uranium. It is shown that for the present price structure, based on the main technological processes used for fabricating fuel, mixed fuel becomes cost-effective when the price of natural uranium is about $300/kg. The results of systems investigations of the development of nuclear power in our country with an orientation toward fast reactors are also presented. In this case, the systems price of plutonium at the stage where fast reactors are first introduced increases. This indicates that the growth prospects must be taken into account in order to develop an efficient fuel-use strategy.