Enhanced Singular Wave Reactor for Surface Power

Abstract

The “CANDLE” (Constant Axial shape of Neutron flux, nuclide densities and power shape During Life of Energy producing reactor) also known as singular wave reactor has many significant advantages related to elimination of the need for enrichment. The use of micro-hetero structured fuel, generically called “cer-liq-mesh” will further improve burnup up to 90%. In spite it has typically large dimensions, being heavy to be transported in space, in a single piece, but because it will deliver energy in hundreds MW level for about 100 years per charge using natural Uranium or Thorium as fuel available on the planet's surface, and because it can be assembled locally becomes a very attractive option for self sustainable power cycles. The “cer-liq-mesh” fuel based singular wave reactor is smaller, less than ¼ from the size of “Candle” reactor, and has a very high burnup reducing the fuel cycle drastically. It can be transported by parts, with extremely small probability of over-unity criticality accident and be assembled to run on the surface. This represents a better option for extraterrestrial applications; in spite it requires a more complicated fuel fabrication that pays back in a simplified fuel cycle and minimum waste.