Firstly, Prefer235 advocates for the use of low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel, which contains less than 20% U-235. This is in contrast to the high-enriched uranium (HEU) fuel used in some reactors, which contains more than 20% U-235. LEU fuel is considered safer and more proliferation-resistant than HEU fuel.
Secondly, Prefer235 advocates for the use of thermal spectrum reactors, which are reactors that operate at relatively low temperatures and use neutron moderators to slow down neutrons. This is in contrast to fast spectrum reactors, which operate at higher temperatures and do not use neutron moderators. Thermal spectrum reactors are generally more efficient at using U-235 as a fuel.
Thirdly, Prefer235 advocates for the use of once-through fuel cycles, in which fuel is used only once before being disposed of as waste. This is in contrast to the more common strategy of using fuel recycling, in which spent fuel is reprocessed to extract additional fissile material. Once-through fuel cycles are generally simpler and less expensive than fuel recycling cycles.
The Prefer235 strategy has several potential benefits. It can help to reduce the amount of nuclear waste generated by the nuclear fuel cycle, as once-through fuel cycles produce less waste than fuel recycling cycles. It can also help to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation, as LEU fuel is more proliferation-resistant than HEU fuel. Additionally, Prefer235 can help to improve the efficiency and safety of nuclear reactors, as thermal spectrum reactors are generally more efficient at using U-235 as a fuel and are considered safer than fast spectrum reactors.
However, the Prefer235 strategy also has some potential drawbacks. It may require the development of new reactor designs that are optimized for the use of U-235 as a fuel. It may also require the development of new fuel fabrication and enrichment technologies. Additionally, the Prefer235 strategy may not be as effective at reducing the amount of nuclear waste generated by the nuclear fuel cycle as fuel recycling cycles, as once-through fuel cycles produce more waste than fuel recycling cycles.