Survey of the Current Status of the LWR and Projected Improvements

摘要

This study is prepared to provide a basis for projecting and substantiating near and immediate-term improvements in the Light Water Reactor (LWR) resource utilization. The evaluation is described in three parts: (1) History of LWR (2) Fuel Utilization: A brief history of LWR fuel burnup experience, with interpretation/extrapolation to the year 2000. (3) Potential Improvements: Survey of potential savings in uranium resources from increased fuel burnup to an achievable target value, and an assessment of state-of-the-art capability of reaching that objective. In addition, identification of other potential design/fuel management improvements and attendant potential gains and uncertainties. (4) Alternate Nuclear Technologies: Estimation of savings in uranium resources by ultilizing the U/Th cycle and Pu/U recycle, and an assessment of risk elements, probable costs, and industry willingness to support implementation on a commercial scale. It is concluded that an achievable saving of about 8% is possible in the PWR cycle solely by extending fuel burnup (perhaps slightly larger in BWRs) and another 8% by decreased reload batch size. This is a naturally occurring evolution which government funding may only accelerate. A further improvement by altering the fuel cycle (fast shuffle and/or increased number of core zones) may be realized (at higher risk) by more extensive and expensive design modifications. Alternate fuel cycles could substantially increase the savings, but at considerable expense and yet higher risk. (Author)