FUEL MATERIALSDOE-HDBK-1017/2-93Plant MaterialsAs noted above, interest in thorium as a contributor to the world's useful energy supply is basedon its transmutability into the fissile isotope 233U. The ease with which this property can beutilized depends on the impact of the nuclear characteristics of thorium on the various reactorsystems in which it might be placed and also on the ability to fabricate thorium into suitable fuelelements and, after irradiation, to separate chemically the resultant uranium. The nuclearcharacteristics of thorium are briefly discussed below by comparing them with 238U as a point ofreference. First, a higher fissile material loading requirement exists for initial criticality for a given reactorsystem and fissile fuel when thorium is used than is the case for an otherwise comparable systemusing 238U.Second, on the basis of nuclear performance, the interval between refueling for comparablethermal reactor systems can be longer when thorium is the fertile fuel. However, for a givenreactor system, fuel element integrity may be the limiting factor in the depletion levels that canbe achieved.Third, 233Pa (protactinium), which occurs in the transmutation chain for the conversion of thoriumto 233U, acts as a power history dependent neutron poison in a thorium-fueled nuclear reactor.There is no isotope with comparable properties present in a 238U fuel system.Fourth, for comparable reactor systems, the one using a thorium-base fuel will have a largernegative feedback on neutron multiplication with increased fuel temperature (Doppler coefficient)than will a 238U-fueled reactor.Fifth, for comparable reactor configurations, a 232Th/233U fuel system will have a greater stabilityrelative to xenon-induced power oscillations than will a 238U/235U fuel system. The stability isalso enhanced by the larger Doppler coefficient for the 232Th/233U fuel system.And sixth, the effective value of b for 232Th/233U systems is about half that of 235U-fueled reactorsand about the same as for plutonium-fueled reactors. A small value of b means that the reactoris more responsive to reactivity changes.In conclusion, the nuclear properties of thorium can be a source of vast energy production. Asdemonstrated by the Light Water Breeder Reactor Program, this production can be achieved innuclear reactors utilizing proven light water reactor technology.NuclearFuelSelectionThe nuclear properties of a material must be the first consideration in the selection of a suitablenuclear fuel. Principle properties are those bearing on neutron economy: absorption and fissioncross sections, the reactions and products that result, neutron production, and the energy released.These are properties of a specific nuclide, such as 232Th, and its product during breeding, 233U.To assess these properties in the performance of the bulk fuel, the density value, or frequencyof occurrence per unit volume, of the specific nuclide must be used.MS-05Page 8Rev. 0
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