Role and Position of PHWR in Nuclear Fuel Cycle in China

Abstract

Although the closed nuclear fuel cycle strategy has been adopted in China, there are still some issues existing in the developing strategy, such as ignoring the utilization of recycled uranium, just depending on the U–Pu fuel cycle, etc. Because of the high neutron economy, simple fuel bundle design, and on-power refueling, PHWR could use recycled uranium economically and efficiently, and could be the breakthrough of nuclear utilization of thorium. It is suggested that developing PWRs, reprocessing plants and FRs with matched number of PHWRs to utilize the Recycled Uranium, close the U–Pu fuel cycle, and develop Th–U fuel cycle as the backup measure of the U–Pu cycle, which would guarantee the continual development of nuclear energy.