I had an idea today–since U-233 represents something like a “catalyst” for the prolonged consumption of thorium in a LFTR, and since a LFTR can be built that has a unity conversion ratio (makes as much U-233 as it consumes), then perhaps a nation that developed a large supply of U-233 could “rent” it to nations that want to start LFTRs but lack the ability to get or make U-233.
In a similar manner to the nuclear waste fund (1/10th of a penny per kilowatt*hour) the nation that “rents” U-233 to another nation could levy a rental fee on the electrical energy produced with “their” U-233. That way, a small country like Singapore could build or buy LFTRs and operate them, and the nation like the US that “rents” the U-233 could gain from the operation. At the end of the rental period, the agreement would stipulate that the U-233 be “returned” or accounted for. For a unity-conversion LFTR, this should work.
The US has 1000 kg of U-233. Unfortunately, it’s still bent on destroying this precious resource. In the scenario I outlined at TEAC2 and a few days ago in a blog post, we will use LFTRs and chloride reactors to destroy HEU and plutonium and make lots of U-233 for more LFTRs. This scenario might provide other uses for U-233 outside of the United States.
