Problems and prospects of nuclear power engineering

This paper discusses a crisis in development of nuclear power engineering due to drawbacks of the uranium-plutonium fuel cycle. The fuel cycle is not closed, and the problem of accumulation of transplutonium elements is not still satisfactorily solved. As an alternative, a concept is advanced of safe nuclear power engineering, based on a homogeneous cascade liquid-salt reactor using thorium and uranium fluoride melts. Maintenance of a thermal neutron flux in the reactor does not result in significant accumulation of transplutonium elements during the entire service life of the reactor. The problems of safety are discussed, and recommendations are made to avoid global ecological accidents. It is concluded that already now all unsolved problems of ''military'' uranium-plutonium cycle can be eliminated, and the level of safety can be substantially improved in older to turn the public opinion toward further development of nuclear power engineering and to initiate creation in the nearest future of substituting NPP facilities on the new basis.