Levelized Cost of Fuel (LCOF) studies for microreactors using TRISO
fuel in hydride and beryllium-based composite moderators in open
and closed fuel cycles
Name
balla-saiballa-sm-sdm-2025-thesis pdfa.pdf
Description
Thesis PDF
Size
5.86 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d29953cd9f0b026034ee9536a04af28a
Author(s)
Balla, Sai Prasad
Advisor(s)
Buongiorno, Jacopo
Date Issued
May 2025
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of a specific class of nuclear batteries—high-temperature gas-cooled 10 MW_th microreactors (HTGRs) with TRISO fuel in prismatic- and pebble-bed cores—using four composite moderator concepts (MgO–Be, MgO–BeO, MgO–YH, MgO–ZrH). These options are compared against a prismatic graphite benchmark, under both once-through and continuous-recycle fuel cycles.
In once-through prismatic systems, hydride-based moderators can reduce overall fuel-cycle costs by up to about 20% relative to graphite, whereas beryllium-based moderators may remain 40–50% costlier due to higher raw material expenses. Shifting from prismatic blocks to pebble beds decreases moderator usage and increases burnup, thus making advanced moderator options more competitive.
Adopting a continuous-recycle strategy replaces enrichment with reprocessing and can further lower fuel-cycle costs by roughly 30%. Coupling a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) to supply transuranic’s further reduces the cost: SFR driver fabrication and reprocessing can account for the bulk of total costs, rendering microreactor-level variations comparatively minor. Meanwhile, pebble-bed designs propose ultra-high burnups and extended residence times, which could yield significant economic gains, contingent on demonstrated long-term TRISO fuel integrity.
Waste handling also factors into the analysis. Deconsolidation—removing the inert moderator before disposal—can shrink spent-fuel volumes by more than 90%, easing repository demands. Continued R&D into advanced additive manufacturing, high-burnup TRISO performance, and streamlined waste management will be crucial for capitalizing on these potential cost advantages.
MIT Department
System Design and Management Program.
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