TITLE:
Feasibility to Convert the NuScale SMR from UO2 to a Mixed (U, Th)O2 Core: A Parametric Study of Fuel Element—Seed-Blanket Concept
AUTHORS:
Giovani Laranjo de Stefani, Diego Manoel Enedino Gonçalves, Cesar Raitz, Marcelo V. da Silva, Caio Július César Miranda Rodrigues da Cunha
KEYWORDS:
Thorium, SMR, Seed-Blanket, NuScale
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology,
Vol.13 No.2,
April
7,
2023
ABSTRACT: Delays in the construction of nuclear reactors due to licensing issues have been a problem across the world, affecting projects in Finland, France, and the United States. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) emerge as a transition between Generations III+ and IV in order to make nuclear energy more competitive with other energy sources, including renewables. In this study, the SMR NuScale, one of the most promising projects today, is investigated for its conversion into a U-233-producing reactor through the Radkowsky seed-blanket fuel element concept, applied in the Shippingport reactor, in a parametric study. Initially, a validation of the reference reactor (NuScale) was carried out with data from technical documents and papers, thus demonstrating the agreement of the computational model carried out with the SERPENT code. Then, a parametric study is carried out to define the area of the seed and blanket region, proportions of enrichment and pitch length. Finally, a comparison is made between the production of U-233, TRU reduction, burn-up extension and neutronic and thermohydraulic safety parameters. This study demonstrates an improvement in the conversion factor and a considerable reduction in the production of TRU, in addition to the production of U-233 with a low proportion of other uranium isotopes that can lead to the beginning of the thorium cycle with already consolidated technologies.