Some Nuclear Characteristics of Thorium Fueled Light Water Reactors

Abstract

Cell calculations of a Th-fueled PWR are carried out to discuss the burnup characteristics, coolant void reactivity coefficients, and the effectiveness of the mechanical spectral shift control method by fertile rod insertion. It is shown that the Th fuel can achieve a high discharge burnup with less increase of the fissile concentration than in the U fuel. It is also shown, particularly in the Th-fueled cores, that the fertile rods are effective for the spectral shift control and for improving the conversion ratio.

KEYWORDS:

• thorium
• nuclear fuels
• spectral shift
• burnup
• void worth
• fertile spectral shift control
• rod
• conversion ratio