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5. CQPIPIERCIWLPZATION CONSIDERATIONS
While the technological feasibility, the overall technical perfom-
ance, and the proliferation resistance of the DMSR are important charac-
teristics to be considered in assessing Its value as an a%ternat%ve nu-
clear concept, an overriding con~ide~ation is likely to be the comer-
cialtzation potential of the system. This general attribute includes a
number of considerations, such as:
1. the probable total. cost of developing a commercia1Py ready system;
2. the time required for such development, which strongly affects the
impact a system can have on power weeds;
3. the probable net economic performance of commercial units, which de-
termines the attractiveness of the concept to its potential users,
that is, the electric power utilities;
4. the ease of licensability of the commercial plants, which is a re-
flection of the ~oncept~s sociopolitical attractiveness, as well as
its technical performance.
Some relevent information about the DMSR with respect to each of these
points is presented in the following discussion.
5.1 Research and Development
Since MSR research and development has been under way for some 30
years, the basic technology is well understood. However, much of it has
not been developed to the stage and scale that would be required for the
construction of large reactor systems, Thus, B significant R&D effort
would be an important part of any program to commercialize MSRs, In ad-
dition, untfl recently, development was concentrated on reactor concepts
with a good breeding gain and a low fissile inventory SO that the result-
ing thermal breeder reactor system would have a reasonably short d~k~bli~lg
time and could be considered a viable alternative (or complement) to fast
breeder systems. The technology needs of the modified reactor concept
that has been developed in response to the recent emphasis on prolifera-
tion resistance differ from those of the nominal breeder concept.