Enhancement of proliferation resistance properties of commercial FBRs by material barriers

The possibility to enhance proliferation resistance of discharged plutonium in the blanket of fast breeder reactor (FBR) has been investigated in terms of reactor core design aspects. It can be achieved by increasing the fraction of even-mass-number plutonium isotopes in the discharged plutonium. Although it can be achieved by a radial blanket-free core, it also decreases the breeding ratio. By loading the blanket with plutonium (Pu) or minor actinides (MAs) or Pu-MA combination, it is possible to reduce the attractiveness of discharged plutonium. However, the loading material in the blanket should be kept in balance with achievable core performances, fuel fabrication, and fuel handling, accordingly and hence the criteria needed to comply with. It is found that applying the attractiveness or FOM criteria that using the combination of even-mass-number plutonium isotopes need more material to be loaded than the one needed when applying Pellaud's or Kessler's proposal that using only solely isotope fraction of plutonium.