Optimization of Heterogeneous Utilization of Thorium in PRWs to Enhance Proliferation Resistance & Reduce Waste

[摘要] Typical pressurized water reactors, although loaded with uranium fuel, produce 225 to 275 kg of plutonium per gigawatt year of operation. Although the spent fuel is highly radioactive, it nevertheless offers a potential proliferation pathway because the plutonium is relatively easy to separate, amounts to many critical masses, and aside from the alpha (n reaction on the 240 Pu isotope) does not present any significant intrinsic barrier to weapon assembly

[发布日期] 2003-12-18 [发布机构] Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States)

[关键词] 11 Nuclear Fuel Cycle And Fuel Materials;21 Specific Nuclear Reactors And Associated Plants