HIGH CONVERSION AND NEAR-BREEDING HTGR

摘要

The potential for achieving high conversion ratios in HTGRs is demonstrated analytically. The design modifications required to achieve a variety of different conversion ratios, including cases exceeding 0.90 for U-235 fueled HTGRs are discussed. The importance of increasing the core thorium loading and reducing core power density to gain increased conversion ratio is described. Several near-breeding HTGR designs are identified for U-233 fueled HTGRs. The calculated fissile requirements for such Near-Breeders are found to be in excellent agreement with those calculated in Germany for Near-Breeder Pebble Bed HTGRs. The resource savings and fuel cycle economics are compared as a function of the attainable conversion ratio. The fuel developments required to achieve significant increases in conversion ratio are summarized.