Design Concept for a 900 Mw(E) Scale-Up of the 60 Mw(E) Shippingport LWBR (AWBA Development Program)

摘要

This report describes a Scale-Up of the Shippingport LWBR design to a 900 Mw(e) concept using fuel assemblies that are mechanically identical to those used at Shippingport to provide the variable geometry reactivity control. Technical considerations in such a Scale-Up are identified. Differences from the Shippingport LWBR and current commercial reactor design and performance characteristics are noted. Fueling of the reactor with uranium-235 to produce an initial breeder loading of uranium-233 is evaluated. The 900 Mw(e) core would require the use of 3341 short tons U sub 3 O sub 8 to produce the breeder fuel necessary to sustain the cycle. However, once on the breeding cycle, no further mining or enrichment of uranium would be required; only a small amount of thorium makeup would be needed. Breeding performance is evaluated and breeding in both initial and equilibrium recycle conditions is predicted. (ERA citation 08:014781)