RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

Important results since 2001 include:
• Two unique experimental facilities have been completed, and the first results have been
published.
• Analysis and documentation have been completed of previously performed measurements
of elastic neutron scattering from carbon and lead at 96 MeV. The precision in the results
surpasses all previous data by at least an order of magnitude. These measurements represent
the highest energy in neutron scattering where the ground state has been resolved from the
excited state. The results show that all previous theory models have underestimated the
probability of elastic neutron scattering at this energy by 0–30 percent.
• A new method for measuring absolute probabilities of neutron-induced nuclear reactions
solely by means of experimental techniques has been developed. Previously, only two such
methods have been known.
• TSL has decided to build a new, radically improved neutron beam facility. The first
experiments with this facility were carried out in January 2004.
• A new experimental instrument for measurement of inelastic neutron scattering has
been built, tested and found to meet the specifications. This work has been performed in
collaboration with two French research groups from Caen and Nantes. The instrument will
be used for a series of experiments during the coming years.
• Previous work by the group on nuclear data for assessment of electronics reliability has lead
to a new industry standard in the USA.
• Clear evidence of three-body forces has been found in neutron scattering from deuterium.
In the long term, this may be of very great importance for advanced theories of complex
atomic nuclei.
• The activities have expanded substantially now than INF is conducting contract education
for KSU since 2003.
Future development of P&T
Research and development efforts on P&T have increased somewhat during the period
1998–2003. Internationally, research on P&T has taken a prominent position in the R&D
being conducted with regard to future nuclear power and nuclear fuel cycle systems.
Even though P&T research has been on the agenda for many years, there are still a number of
questions that need to be cleared up before R&D in the field can be given a clearly focused
direction. Previously mentioned studies in the USA and Europe have tried to define the programme
that is needed to get into such a position. The studies proposed research programmes
covering about six years at costs of a couple of hundred million euro.
Building a small experimental ADS facility is a necessary step in developing and demonstrating
the concept. This experimental facility should then be followed by a near-full-scale demonstration
facility. Such a facility cannot be ready before the mid-2030s.
However, due to a number of factors the speed, intensity and funding for the work are much
lower than proposed.
There is no consensus on the strategic goals of partitioning and transmutation. Many see the
goal as a way to gain broad acceptance for nuclear energy as a whole. Others see it as a way
to break the impasse that has prevented progress towards a final repository in many countries.
Still others attach great importance to the risks of proliferation created due to growing stocks
of plutonium from light-water reactor fuel, from other reactor fuels and from dismantling of
nuclear weapons.
There is no consensus on the need to develop accelerator-driven systems or on the role played
by these systems in partitioning and transmutation. Some recommend that ADS should be used
316 RD&D-Programme 2004