[ RadSafe ] IAEA Tecdoc on the Thorium Fuel Cycle

[Marcel Schouwenburg]

Dear RadSafers,

Some time ago there was some discussion on the list about the thorium 
cycle. For those interested I'm posting a reference of a IAEA Tecdoc 
about this topic. It gives a good overview on the topic and will answer 
many questions.

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Thorium Fuel Cycle - Potential Benefits and Challenges
IAEA TECDOC Series No.  1450

There has been significant interest among Member States in developing 
advanced and innovative technologies for safe, proliferation resistant 
and economically efficient nuclear fuel cycles, while minimizing waste 
and environmental impacts. This publication provides a critical review 
of the thorium fuel cycle: potential benefits and challenges in the 
thorium fuel cycle, mainly based on the latest developments at the 
frontend of the fuel cycle, applying thorium fuel cycle options, and at 
the back end of the thorium fuel cycle. The aim is to address the 
benefits and challenges faced in the front and back ends of the thorium 
fuel cycle, highlighting fuel fabrication, reprocessing and waste 
management. In addition, this publication provides an insight into the 
reasons for renewed interest in the thorium fuel cycle, different 
implementation scenarios and options for the thorium cycle and an update 
of the information base on thorium fuels and fuel cycles.
IAEA-TECDOC-1450, 2500
ISBN 92-0-103405-9, English. 15.00 Euro. Date of Issue: 14 July 2005.

Full Text, (File Size: 1900 KB). 
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/TE_1450_web.pdf

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Marcel Schouwenburg - RadSafe moderator & List owner
Head Training Centre Delft
National Centre for Radiation Protection (Dutch abbr. NCSV)

Faculty of Applied Sciences / Reactor Institute Delft
Delft University of Technology
Mekelweg 15
NL - 2629 JB  DELFT
The Netherlands
Phone +31 (0)15 27 86575
Fax     +31 (0)15 27 81717
email   m.schouwenburg at tnw.tudelft.nl