Some Aspects of the Thorium Fuel Cycle in Heavy-Water-Moderated Pressure Tube Reactors

The use of thorium fuel cycles in heavy-water-moderated pressure tube (CANDU) reactors will allow much more energy to be extracted from a given amount of fuel than is possible with the present natural uranium cycle. The extent to which various factors affect thorium fuel cycle economics and resource consumption with equilibrium ²³³U levels in the fuel is considered. Resource consumption in growing nuclear power systems is also considered, and it is shown that considerable savings can be achieved even under conditions of rapid growth. The main elements of the development program necessary to provide the technological base for thorium fuel cycles in CANDU reactors are discussed.