Design of a sub-critical reactor for transmutation of higher actinides

  • Piotr Mazgaj Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology
  • D. Jimenez Department of Reactor Physics, Royal Institute of Technology
  • D. Lopez Department of Reactor Physics, Royal Institute of Technology

Abstract

To reduce the storage time of spent fuel its radiotoxicity must be reduced through the transmutation of minoractinides. Generation IV reactors or sub-critical Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) are options that appeartechnically feasible in view of the transmutation goal. The purpose of this work is to design a lead-cooled400 MWth sub-critical reactor which uses inert matrix nitride fuel. Many design issues are dealt with, such asthe lifetime of the cladding material, the minimum reactivity swing fuel composition, the burning rates of MAand the safety coecients. The results obtained show that ADS performs well in transmuting minor actinidesand has good safety levels in respect of reactivity perturbations.

Author Biography

Piotr Mazgaj, Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology
PhD Student at Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology.

References

[1] J. Wallenius, Cladding materials for fast reactors, Nuclear and Reactor Physics, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden

[2] R.L. Klueh , A.T. Nelson, Ferritic/martenisitic steels for next generation reactors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, OP, USA

[3] J. Wallenius, Fuels for transmutation, Nuclear and Reactor Physics, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden

[4] Robert Dautray, The Nuclear Fuel of Pressurized Water Reactors and Fast Neutron Reactors, Haut Commissaire a l’Energi Atomic

[5] Stuart A. Maloy, M.B. Toloczko, K.J. McClellan, T. Romero, Y. Kohno, F.A. Garner, R.J. Kurtz, A. Kimura, The effects of fast reactor irradiation conditions on the tensile properties of two ferritic/martensitic steels

[6] J. Wallenius, Transmutation of Nuclear Fuels, Nuclear and Reactor Physics, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden.

[7] Rahn, Frank J., A guide to nuclear power technology: a resource for decision making, New York, Wiley, 1984
Published
2014-12-31
How to Cite
MAZGAJ, Piotr; JIMENEZ, D.; LOPEZ, D.. Design of a sub-critical reactor for transmutation of higher actinides. Journal of Power Technologies, [S.l.], v. 94, n. 5, p. 35--40, dec. 2014. ISSN 2083-4195. Available at: <https://papers.itc.pw.edu.pl/index.php/JPT/article/view/590>. Date accessed: 22 dec. 2024.

Keywords

transmutation; Accelerator Driven Systems; nitride fuel; lead cooled ADS

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