Analysis of the Possibilities of Developing a Molten-Salt Blanket for a Subcritical Demonstration Reactor

Abstract

The possibilities of developing a demonstration electronuclear facility with a subcritical reactor, proton accelerator and neutron source in the form of a target unit are analyzed. This facility is proposed for working out key technologies for utilizing Np, Am, and Cm obtained from spent nuclear fuel as well as the production of 233U and 233Pa in the blanket of a molten-salt reactor. The transmutation technologies are important for bringing the raw isotopes 238U and 232Th into energy production, closing the nuclear fuel cycle, reducing the amounts of buried transuranium elements, and increasing the nuclear fuel utilization efficiency.