Massy, le 22/03/2018
Restricted Framatome
Summary
Source: David LeBlanc, Nuclear Engineering and Design 240 (2010) 1644-1656
France: review of MSBR concept (EDF, CEA) in the 70’s and 80’s
Japan: THORIMS-NES (Fuji reactors based on MSRE + Accelerator MSB
for U233 breeding) since the 80’s
Accelerator driven and subcritical reactor concepts for for waste
incineration, among which:
US: TIER concepts in the 90’s (TIER1 « once through »)
JAERI’s molten-chloride ADS (fast-neutron spectrum)
CEA TASSE concept
Russia: CSMSR
EDF studies on AMSTER around 2000 for TRU transmutation then
breeding in Thorium cycle
Other projects of actinides burners: SPHINX (Czech Republic), REBUS
(EDF), MOSART (Kurchatov)…
As well as
(Mini)-Fuji (Thorium Tech Solution Inc, Japan) thermal
Dual fluid reactor (IFK Berlin, Germany) fast
…
Not to forget solid fuel concepts (thermal)
Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Project – Solid Fuel (SINAP, China)
Fluoride High Temperature Reactor (ORNL, MIT, University of Berkeley and co,
USA) : Mk1 PB-FHR, SmAHTR…
MARS (micro-particle fuel autonomous molten salt cooled reactor by
Kurchatov, Russia)
…
Main sources:
https://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Meetings/2016/2016-10-31-11-03-NPTDS.html
http://www.energyprocessdevelopments.com/uploads/EPD%20MSR%20Review%20Feasibility%20Study%20July%202015%201.02.pdf
May be close to the MSRE (first steps in the Chinese learning curve).
Significant and serious R&D effort. TMSR-Solid Fuel (Triso) also considered in parallel
Fast reactor configuration with liquid fuel presenting a high potential for enhanced
safety and design simplification. Graphite still present as reflector. A lot of R&D on
Russian’s side, notably on materials
Fast reactor configuration with liquid fuel presenting a high potential for enhanced
safety and design simplification. MSFR is retained as the working horse for SAMOFAR
project. CNRS also considering the study of a small MSR.
Preliminary studied as a possible option within the third stage strategy of India
(optimized utilization of thorium). Both pool and loop types studied, as well as
different salts.
Several basic options close to the MSRE. Sealed and passive concept.
Pre-Licensing review initiated in Canada, and $17.2 million fundraising
achieved
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Molten Chloride Fast Reactor
by Terrapower, USA
Project was awarded a grant up to $40 million by the US DOE in January 2016
Several basic options close to the MSRE except mainly for its
utilization of zirconium hydride as moderator instead of graphite.
False calculations announced beginning of 2017.
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Thorcon by Marthingale, USA
Several basic options close to the MSRE. Double fluid configuration though.
Modular concept proposed.
Claims for no pump, no new material (tbc for fuel tubes), and modularity
Liquid fuel but still shares some solid-fuel concepts’s constraints in terms of design
and safety
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Other concepts…