PROLIFERATION RESISTANT, LOW COST, THORIA-URANIA FUEL FOR LIGHT WATER REACTORS

Abstract

1. Summary Project Objectives: Our objective is to develop a fuel consisting of mixed thorium dioxide and uranium dioxide (ThO[subscript 2]-UO[subscript 2]) for existing light water reactors (LWRs) that (a) is less expensive overall than the current uranium-dioxide (UO[subscript 2]) fuel, (b) is very resistant to nuclear weapons-material proliferation, (c) results in a more stable and insoluble waste form, and, (d) generates less spent fuel per unit energy production. This project is being conducted in collaboration with INEEL. This annual report presents the MIT progress in the investigations from October 1998 up to June 1999.