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There i s considerable uncertainty i n t h e long-term f i s s i o n product cross sections, This is of g r e a t importance i n t h e long burnup, low conversion systems, However, i n the systems optimized as breeders, the uncertainty i s not too important; t h e main e f f e c t is then i n determining the necessary frequency of reprocessing.
There is also considerable uncertainty i n the Pa-233 absorption cross section, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n its dependence on p i l e spectrum. However, it is not too important i n any of t h e optimum breeder systems since i n none of them a r e the Pa-233 l o s s e s large.
VII, POWER COSTS A.
Preparation of the Comparative Power Cost Tabulations 1. Purpose
“he cost estimates were prepared t o provide a b a s i s f o r comparing the r e l a t i v e power cost p o t e n t i a l i t i e s of the molten salt, l i q u i d metal a e l , and aqueous homogeneous r e a c t o r concepts f o r l a r g e c e n t r a l power p l a n t s , assuming them t o be developed i n accordance with t h e reference designs submitted by t h e projects,
The AEC assignment t o t h e Task Force did not request comparison with estimates f o r any other r e a c t o r s , o r f o r conventional plants. Ehphasis was placed on estimating the r e l a t i v e c o s t s , t o r e f l e c t as nearly as possible the e s s e n t i a l differences between the concepts; there w a s less emphasis on determining absolute cost l e v e l s , Hence, the plant and power cost estimates should not be considered as being comparable on an investment o r mills/kwh b a s i s with cost estimates for other p l a n t s o r r e a c t o r concepts, and t h e Task Force study does not attempt t o evaluate the r e l a t i v e merits of these and other r e a c t o r types o r conventional power plants. 2.
T i m e Perspective
The tabulations a r e not intended t o represent the c o s t s of building f l u i d f u e l power r e a c t o r s now; n e i t h e r do they predict t h e cost of building a first plant at some f u t u r e date, It is assumed t h a t when the p l a n t s a r e b u i l t , concepts and designs w i l l have been f u l l y developed; t h a t experience will have been obtained i n the operation of a prototype and a t l e a s t one large-scale p l a n t ; and t h a t components will be obtainable from commercial sources. On the other hand, the estimates a r e not considered as r e f l e c t ing the long-term p o t e n t i a l i t i e s of the concepts. They do not take
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