Long Term Fuel Sustainable Fission Energy Perspective Relevant for Combating Climate Change

Abstract

Abstract:A climate relevant and immediately available proven light water nuclear strategy with a potential to contribute essentially and timely to reduction of carbon dioxide emission to the year 2065 was assumed. The perspective of fission energy after that year is considered. Two technologies with long term perspective which need no or small amounts of uranium, i.e. fast breeders and molten salt thorium reactors were singled out. The main technical and safety characteristics were considered. In both of these technologies it is essential to have starter nuclides as neither U238 nor Th232 are fissile. It was investigated whether plutonium from spent fuel of light water reactors generated to the year 2065 would be present in quantities sufficient to continue operation on the same or similar level in both technologies. However, taking into account operational safety, proliferation risks, and waste production preference must be given to thorium technology.

Chemistry and pathways to net zero for sustainability

“…[46][47][48] Molten salt thorium reactors provide an important alternative to 235 Ubased reactors. [49][50][51] Their advantages include that Th is more abundant in nature than U and when irradiated with ssile material such as recycled plutonium (generated from fastbreeder reactors), Th fuels can breed ssile 233 U in situ. 52 Shis to alternative power sources display complex systemic challenges.…”