Moderate-Breeding Fast Reactors and the Structure of Nuclear Power

Abstract

The replacement of thermal reactors by fast reactors which are now being designed is analyzed. It is proposed that the nuclear power system will develop on the basis of thermal reactors approximately up to the middle of the 21st century, after which fast reactors with breeding ratio somewhat greater than 1 will start to replace them. The demand for the amount of native uranium in implementing such a strategy and the duration of the transitional period to a closed fuel cycle based on fast reactors are evaluated. It is shown that by the end of the 22nd century it will be possible to completely replace thermal reactors and do away with using native uranium in them.