An Assessment of a Low Throughput Coated Particle Production Line Fabricating U-235/TH Fuel. Dragon Project Report

Taking account of recent developments in high temperature reactor fuel fabrication technology and simplifications flowing from operational experience, an assessment of a low throughput production line for U-235/Th fuel is reported. A cost estimate, based on Dragon experience, is given for power reactor fuel elements with thorium to uranium atomic ratios varying from 10 to 5 and throughput in the range 100 to 1,000 kg U-235/year. In contrast to previous estimates, there is only a limited dependence of cost with throughput even in the very low throughput range. This is a result of technical improvements leading to lower capital costs and overheads. No reprocessing or refabrication is assumed since such processes are alien to a small production plant. (author)