Single-purpose electronuclear installation using natural uranium as fuel

The results of investigations of the parameters of an electronuclear setup, operating on solid fuel, for producing useful power are presented. The obj ective of the investigations is to show the attractiveness and practical po ssibility of producing a safe (subcritical) setup for producing energy with unlimited fuel resources. The setup contains an accelerator, two targets, and two blankets. The fissioning isotopes accumulate in one blanket, suppli ed with natural uranium. Actually, this blanket performs the function of en richment for the uranium-plutonium fuel cycle in modern nuclear power. Powe r is generated mainly in the other blanket, which is supplied with fuel ass emblies that are extracted from the first blanket. In contrast to reactors operating on natural uranium, in an electronuclear setup a high degree of f uel burnup can be achieved by converting part of the generated energy into neutrons.