Th-Utilization in PWRs: Status of Work in the Cooperative Brazilian/German Program

摘要

The major results of the program Th-Utilization in PWR's are presented and discussed. The investigations show that the standard KWU-PWR can accomodate (Th,U)O sub 2 and (Th,Pu)O sub 2 fuels without changes in the fuel element design, in 3 and 4-batch operation scheme, without penalties in the reactor performance. An advanced fuel fabrication scheme using direct pelletizing methods out of ex-gel microspheres has been developed on laboratory scale. The (Th,U)O sub 2 test fuel produced satisfies PWR-specification and is currently undergoing irradiation testing. Thermal and mechanical design of fuel pins with thorium based fuel is validated by the current instrumented single rod irradiation test. Cold laboratory investigations indicate that the (Th,UO sub 2 PWR-fuel can be reprocessed using presently known technology, including the chopleach technique and modified THOREX extraction process. (ERA citation 12:026658)