Authors & Affiliations
Dekusar V.M., Usanov V.I., Egorov A.F.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia
Dekusar V.M. – Head of Laboratory, Cand. Sci. (Tech.), A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering.
Usanov V.I. – Chief Scientific Researcher, Dr. Sci. (Tech.), A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering.
Egorov A.F. – Research Associate, A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering. Contacts: 1, pl. Bondarenko, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249033. Tel.: +7(484) 399-85-31; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Abstract
The paper presents the basic methods and facts necessary for calculating the LUFC for NPPs with fast and thermal reactors. However, these reactors are supposed to be in the nuclear energy system, together with the nuclear fuel cycle facilities. At that, it is well known that the link between thermal and fast reactors is plutonium.
The calculations are performed for the BN-1200 reactor with MOX-fuel, as well as for the VVER-TOI thermal reactor.
The calculations have shown that the LUFC values for BN and VVER reactors are quite similar so long as the prices for natural uranium do not vary.
With regard to an escalation in prices for natural uranium, the LUFC for the entire life cycle of nuclear power plants with natural uranium thermal reactors increases significantly, depending on the MOX fuel fraction in the core inventory, whereas for NPPs with fast-neutron reactors it is invariable and much lower. The calculations have also shown that the main contribution to LUFC for fast reactors is the fuel fabrication cost, whereas for thermal reactors it is the cost of natural uranium and its enrichment.
Keywords
economics, levelized unit fuel cost, natural uranium
Article Text (PDF, in Russian)
References
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UDC 621.039:338.45
Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2017, issue 3, 3:13
