Abstract
In this meta-study, the major forms of thorium based nuclear reactors were compared using thermodynamic parameters to find which reactor type holds the highest thermodynamic efficiency and hence, determine which reactor would be most beneficial to research further and implement for energy production. Our study found that molten salt reactors had the best thermodynamic efficiency and also runs at one atmospheric pressure, making it safer than conventional water reactors. The findings in this study show molten salt reactors would be the most efficient reactor to replace standard water reactors, which dominate the market in use of nuclear energy production. This study found a strong link between the thermal efficiency of the plant and the pressure and temperature at which it runs. Reactor core volumes also appeared to have a small effect on the efficiencies. Power flux density was calculated for each style of reactor and compared to other parameters but no distinct relationship was found between them.
Highlights
There are as many as 7 major types of thorium reactors which all boast many benefits over one another [1]
The main difference is that molten salt acts as a coolant, fuel and moderator. This is because the coolant circuits have the same composition as the fuel and moderator [13]. Another distinctive feature is that the temperature greatly exceeds that of a typical pressurized water reactor, where the water reactors sit at roughly 300°C and the molten salt reactors can sit in a range of 7001400°C, where 1400°C is an extreme case, only performed by a molten salt consisting of a lithium/beryllium fluoride
In this study it was found that pressure and temperature play key roles in the efficiency of all nuclear reactors
Summary
There are as many as 7 major types of thorium reactors which all boast many benefits over one another [1]. A very new reactor, which is presently being developed in India is the AHWR which aims to become the generation of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor It runs at 7MPa and 450°C and uses light water to cool and heavy water as a moderator. This is because the coolant circuits have the same composition as the fuel and moderator [13] Another distinctive feature is that the temperature greatly exceeds that of a typical pressurized water reactor, where the water reactors sit at roughly 300°C and the molten salt reactors can sit in a range of 7001400°C, where 1400°C is an extreme case, only performed by a molten salt consisting of a lithium/beryllium fluoride. This reactor is said to be highly compatible with Thorium and uses fast neutrons to sustain a fission reaction chain This reactor eliminates a lot of fuels radiotoxicity, in comparison to all water reactors. Water is an ineffective coolant in this reactor as it acts as a neutron moderator, which hinders the reactors capabilities
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