Elements for evaluation of the potential of the thorium cycle in Argentina

A comprehensive review of the most important elements to be taken into account for the evaluation and, eventually, the implementation of the introduction of thorium cycle strategies in argentinian heavy-water type power plants, and also of the associated development of the external fuel cycle, is presented. Particularly, the up-dated situations summarized here cover resources and prices of natural uranium and thorium, development of the various stages of the external fuel cycle, description of the most important strategies and their capabilities for the best use of mineral resources and, finally, the economic implications and the global comparison of those strategies. Various data and parameter values are added to those given in AECL's external reports. Some appendices are devoted to the definitions of a 'global fuel-cycle conversion factor' and to the analysis of the effective use of mineral resources, taking into account fissile and fertile material losses in the external fuel cycle., for the different cases of fuel conversion and breeding. (Author)