METHOD OF OPERATING NUCLEAR REACTOR IN THORIUM FUEL CYCLE WITH PRODUCTION OF URANIUM ISOTOPE U Russian patent published in 2017 - IPC G21C1/00 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: method involves initial loading of the reactor core with an oxide fuel containing a thorium isotope ²³²Th and uranium isotope ²³³U, forming the intensity of the neutron flux and its energy distribution at the beginning of the reactor campaign in the spectrum, in which the fraction of fast neutrons prevails over thermal neutrons, using heavy water D₂O as a moderator and coolant. Control of the reactor operation on power is carried out by keeping it in a critical state, providing a balance between the isotope ²³³U and neutron absorbers, as well as the production of actinides, including fissile isotopes ²³⁵U, ²³⁹Pu^, and ²⁴¹Pu, by continuous dilution during the heavy water reactor campaign with light water H₂O, while the process of operating the reactor core is carried out in a closed fuel cycle with the possibility of transition in the following campaigns to work on thorium-uranium-plutonium fuel of equilibrium isotopic composition.

EFFECT: improving the efficiency of nuclear fuel use while simplifying the management of radioactive waste.

3 tbl, 3 dwg