Optimization models of a two-component nuclear energy system with thermal and fast reactors in a closed nuclear fuel cycle

Abstract

The article presents a description and some illustrative results of the application of two optimization models for a two-component nuclear energy system consisting of thermal and fast reactors in a closed nuclear fuel cycle. These models correspond to two possible options of developing Russian nuclear energy system, which are discussed in the expert community: (1) thermal and fast reactors utilizing uranium and mixed oxide fuel, (2) thermal reactors utilizing uranium oxide fuel and fast reactors utilizing mixed nitride uranium-plutonium fuel. The optimization models elaborated using the IAEA MESSAGE energy planning tool make it possible not only to optimize the nuclear energy system structure according to the economic criterion, taking into account resource and infrastructural constraints, but also to be used as a basis for developing multi-objective, stochastic and robust optimization models of a two-component nuclear energy system. These models were elaborated in full compliance with the recommendations of the IAEA’s PESS and INPRO sections, regarding the specification of nuclear energy systems in MESSAGE. The study is based on publications of experts from NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, JSC “SSC RF-IPPE”, ITCP “Proryv”, JSC “NIKIET”. The presented results demonstrate the characteristic structural features of a two-component nuclear energy system for conservative assumptions in order to illustrate the capabilities of the developed optimization models. Consideration is also given to the economic feasibility of a technologically diversified nuclear energy structure providing the possibility of forming on its base a robust system in the future. It has been demonstrated that given the current uncertainties in the costs of nuclear fuel cycle services and reactor technologies, it is impossible at the moment to make a reasonable conclusion regarding the greatest attractiveness of a particular option in terms of the economic performance.

Estimation of CO2 Emissions of Fossil-Fueled Power Plants in Ghana: Message Analytical Model

“…The MESSAGE model is relevant to this study because of its extensive application in studying the consequences of alternative lines of action and alternative sets of constraints on energy supply decisions. MES-SAGE is a widely used model as one of the best optimization tools, and, for many national energy optimization analyses [32,33]. Additionally, IIASA (2020) revealed that scenarios developed with the MESSAGE model have been used in the assessments and special reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and most recently the Global Energy Assessment (GEA) [34].…”

A scenario study on the transition to a closed nuclear fuel cycle using the nuclear energy system modelling application package (NESAPP)

“…It was assumed that the cooling time of spent fuel for all the reactor types before reprocessing would be 5 years, and reprocessing would be done on a centralised basis. The separated plutonium accumulated by 2020 (ex-weapon and reactor-grade plutonium) and plutonium contained in spent fuel are resources for producing nuclear fuel for SFR and VVERm(mox) (relevant data on stocks were taken from [5]).…”

Proliferation protection of uranium due to the presence of U-232 decay products as intense sources of hard gamma radiation

“…Then the content of U-233 per assembly will be about 20 kg. It was previously estimated that the content of U-232 could reach ~1% in U-233 produced in the thorium blanket of a thermonuclear facility by irradiating thorium for ~500 days (Orlov et al 1979, Kulikov et al 2016, 2020a, 2020b, Andrianov et al 2019. In this case, the assembly will contain about 0.2 kg of U-232 (Shieff et al 1977, Krumbein et al 1980.…”