ORNL-TM-7207 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

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CONTENTS
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. INTRODUCTION ..................................................
ABSTMCT B
1 2
2 . CXNEML DESCRIPTION OF DESR .OO..O.eseB..O..OO.eeoeeeoe.oooseee 5
2.1 Fuel Circuit ............................................. 6
2.2 Coolant Circuit .......................................... 7
2.3 Balance-of-Plant 7
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2.4 Fuel Handling and Processing 8
3 . REFERENCE-CONCEPT DMSR ........................................ 10
3.1 Neutronic Properties ..................................... 10
3.1.1 Neutronics core model ............................. 10
3.1.2 Core design considerations ........................ 14
3.1.3 Neutronics calculation approach ................... 14
3.1.4 Once-through system Considerations
3.1.5 Static neutronic results ..........................
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22
3,1.6 Burnup results .................................... 29
3.1.7 Dynamic effects ................................... 33
3.2 Reactor Thermal Hydraulics ............................... 40
3.3 Fuel Behavior ............................................ 46
3.3.1 Basic considerations .............................. 47
3.3.2 Fission-product behavior .......................... 60
3.3.3 Fuel maintenance .................................. 70
3.4 Reactor Materials ........................................ $1
3.4,1 Structural alloy .................................. 81
3.4.2 Moderator ......................................... 87
3.5 Safety Considerations .................................... 98
3.6 Environmental Considerations ............................. 92
3.7 Antiproliferation Features ............................... 94
3.7.1 Potential sources of SSNM ......................... 94
3.7.2 Accessibility of SSW ............................. 95
4 . ALTERNATIVE DMSR CONCEPTS ..................................... 97
4.1 Fuel Cycle Choices ....................................... 97
4.1.1 Break-even breeding ............................... $8
4.1.2 Converter operation with fuel processfng .......... 100
4.1.3 Partial fissi~n-pr~duct ~~IIIOVELI ................... 101
4.1.4 Salt replacement .................................. 104
cycle performance ................................... 105
4.2 FU~P