Design Study on Pb-208 Cooled CANDLE Burning Reactors toward Practical Application for Future Nuclear Energy Source

The current paper proposed a Pb-208 cooled CANDLE fast reactor in a power range from small to medium one. Since Pb-208 capture and inelastic-scattering cross sections are significantly smaller in a wide energy range and are increasing more rapidly in the high energy range than other Pb isotopes of natural lead, the proposed CANDLE will have a better neutron utilization and a better coolant reactivity feedback. As consequence the core dimensions (both height and radius) and the associated pressure drop can be reduced, which leads to an additional advantage for reactor construction, operation and transportation. Moreover, it was investigated as well that the power shape can be flattened by loading the thorium fuel in the inner core zone, which leads to a reduced radial peaking factor and a higher burn-up.

► Pb-208 capture and inelastic-scattering cross sections are significantly smaller in a wide energy range and are increasing more rapidly in the high energy range than other Pb isotopes of natural lead. ► We proposed a Pb-208 cooled CANDLE fast reactor in a power range from small to medium power level. ► The core dimensions and the associated pressure drop can be reduced, which leads to an additional advantage for reactor construction, operation and transportation.