Evaluation framework for molten salt reactors and other new nuclear power reactor systems

Abstract

In recent years there has been a serious effort throughout many nations to advance new nuclear power reactor designs for commercial deployment. There are many competing technologies classes and specific designs among the technologies. The primary objective of this study is to provide a framework to evaluate and ultimately optimize reactor designs, on a cost basis.

Although the framework is generally technology independent, it is presented as it pertains to one particular reactor type, Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs). For MSRs the framework provides the basis from which to optimize both the salt composition and key geometric parameters. It is broad in scope and is therefore divided into several metrics of performance, direct cost, waste, safety, proliferation, modularity and feasibility (technical difficulty). This novel framework relates reactor design/construction conditions as well as specific configuration parameters to cost, thereby enriching understanding of the costs and trade-offs associated with numerous design characteristics.