Prospects of Using Reprocessed Uranium in CANDU Reactors, in the US GNEP Program

摘要

While in PWR analyses, the bumup penalty caused by the concentration of ~(236)U in RU needs to be offset by additional ~(235)U enrichment in the amount of ～ 25% to 30% of the weight percentage of the ~(236)U; however, the effect in CANDU is much smaller. Furthermore, since the ~(235)U content in RU exceeds that of natural uranium, CANDU offers the advantageous option of uranium recycling without re-enrichment. The exit burnup of CANDU RU-derived fuel is considerably larger than that for natural uranium-fueled scenario, despite the presence of ~(234)U and ~(236)U.