Conversion ratios for plutonium recycle in light water reactors: breeding potential in D₂O-H₂O cooled reactors

The conversion properties of close packed, water cooled, plutonium fueled lattices are studied. Lattices with both ordinary water and light-heavy water mixtures are considered.

The effects of volume fractions, plutonium concentrations, and heavy water fraction on the neutronics are studied through the use of computer calculations.

A preliminary design for a D₂O-H₂O cooled breeder reactor is presented and the breeding characteristics of such a core are examined.