Patent Number: 043449123
Section: claims

1. In a method for increasing the proliferation deterrence of a thorium and uranium-233 nuclear fuel mixture by increasing the radiation level and surface temperature thereof, the improvement comprising: separating the protactinium-231 from the spent fuel and recycling at least a portion of the separated protactinium-231 back into the thorium and uranium-233 fuel mixture, where the recycled protactinium-231 is converted into uranium-232 with a concentration in the fuel mixture of approximately 1.2%. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the thorium and uranium-233 fuel mixture is in a light water reactor operating as a prebreeder. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the thorium and uranium-233 fuel mixture is in a light water breeder reactor. 4. In a method for increasing the proliferation deterrence of a thorium and uranium-233 nuclear fuel mixture by increasing the radiation level and surface temperature thereof, the improvement comprising: separating the protactinium-231 from the spent fuel, irradiating the protactinium-231 to produce uranium-232, and adding the uranium-232 to a thorium and uranium-233 fuel mixture to a concentration of approximately 1.2%.