Innovative once-through thorium fuel cycle for the PTVM LWR concept

An advanced once-through thorium fuel cycle for the novel reactor concept, termed the pressure tube light water reactor with variable moderator control (PTVM LWR), is proposed. The main innovation of the concept is described. The PTVM LWR makes use of a seed-blanket geometry, whereby the core is divided into separated regions of thorium fuel channel assemblies (blanket) and low-enriched uranium fuel channel assemblies (seed). A scheme based on two separate fuel flow routes (i.e., seed route and blanket route) is proposed. Neutronic analysis indicates that the novel scheme has the potential to utilize both seed and blanket in an efficient manner.