Methods for Extending the Reactor Core Lifetime of the Canadian Thermal BatteryTM

Microreactors offer a promising energy solution for remote communities where limited green energy options are available. However, many of the current microreactor designs rely on high-assay low-enriched uranium, which poses challenges related to reactor design and functionality due to limited supply chains. This paper investigates potential methods that may be used to extend the core lifetime of a microreactor with reduced fuel enrichment by using two OpenMC models of the Canadian Thermal BatteryTM: the heat pipe model and the parameterized core model. Key parameters, including core materials, kernel types, and reactor geometry, are analyzed using the two models.