Comparing LFTRs and IFRs to LWRs (part 2)  In a previous post I
began comparing how a utility that operated nuclear reactors
might look at a liquid-fluoride thorium reactor (LFTR) or an
integral fast reactor (IFR) relative to their existing light-
water reactors, with a specific look at whether or not operating
these advanced reactors would confer an economic advantage for
them.  Despite how much LFTR and IFR advocates like to talk
about fuel efficiency and reduction in nuclear waste, I
concluded that neither would be particularly compelling to a
utility with today’s fuel costs and regulatory environment.
Which leads us into fuel reprocessing, because both LFTR and IFR
plan to incorporate fuel reprocessing within the confines of the
reactor building, and for the LFTR, perhaps even within the
reactor cell. How would integral reprocessing be viewed by a
utility?  Initially, most likely with great hostility. In
today’s LWR-powered nuclear world, fuel reprocessing, if it is
done at all, is something that is done