Equilibrium Cycle Calculations for Transuranics Recycling in Pressurized Water Reactors

Assembly-level collision probability calculations are performed with the CASMO code to study the feasibility and efficiency of recycling transuranics (TRUs) in pressurized water reactors (PWRs). A zero-dimensional equilibrium cycle approach is combined with an extrapolation algorithm to estimate equilibrium cycle configurations in a three-zone PWR core. A whole-core implementation of mixed-oxide assemblies containing TRUs may require an unusually large loading of TRUs, but a (2 × 2) colorset arrangement of TRU and uranium assemblies, with a sufficient ²³⁵U enrichment, may yield a reasonable PWR configuration. Colorset arrangements will not result in net depletion of TRUs but will slow down the accumulation of TRUs in a continuing PWR economy.