Neutronic assessment of a PWR-type SMR core with TRISO particles using mixed-oxide fuel strategies

The global transition towards a CO 2 -free energy economy will be possible to the extent that nuclear energy has the capacity to produce energy safely with a proper waste management. The use of Small Modular Reactors , Light Water Reactors-type can solve these problems due to their safety advantages and accumulated operational experience. To achieve a high proliferation resistance, it is proposed that these reactors have extended fuel cycles and for this, the use of Mixed-Oxide (MOX) fuels within Tri-structural Isotopic (TRISO) particles can improve the nuclear waste management , as well as the safety of these reactors. This paper evaluates the performance of a PWR-type SMR core, using TRISO particles, composed by recycled plutonium , in mixtures with depleted uranium and thorium as fertile materials. One-third of the fuel assemblies that make up the reactor core are composed by mixed oxide fuels whereas the rest of the fuel assemblies by UO 2 . A comparison of four MOX fuel strategies is carried out with a standard full-UO 2 cycle, in terms of cycle length, burnup and safety parameters at the end of a cycle of approximately four years. The results show that the use of these compositions meets the safety requirements and variants such as the one that uses plutonium from multiple reprocessing has a well-suited performance for this reactor, compared to the standard UO 2 cycle.