Euradwaste '08 - EU Bookshop - Europa

In the course of the development of new designs for nuclear systems for transmutation it became
obvious that a successful introduction of these systems needs further design optimization. However,
part of the information needed for the design specifications is still uncertain and therefore design
solutions have to consider rather large uncertainties in the design process. For example, if an economically
acceptable solution for an ADS system is envisaged it becomes necessary to launch a
broad R&D program ranging from evaluation of open material property issues to basic features of
the reliable operation of such a complex system. As result of the European research effort around
the EUROTRANS project first answers to the most relevant open questions will be obtained.
The development of MA bearing fuels is still at a very early stage, and will require substantial effort
in the future. A recent road mapping exercise (EISOFAR) has shown quite clearly that a new SFR
deployed in 2020 will necessarily be fuelled with MOX fuel. This reactor together with the XT-
ADS plant can then be used as an instrument to test and qualify fuels bearing MA in homogeneous
or heterogeneous recycling modes. In the meantime the fabrication, critical property determination
and irradiation testing dedicated to specific effects are necessary for the down selection of options.
Furthermore, the development of multidimensional theoretical approaches will also contribute to an
improved understanding of fuel behaviour, and thereby improved means to design essential experiments
along with a reduction in their number and concomitant costs.
References:
[1] C.Fazio, M.Salvatores and W.S.Yang, “Down-selection of partitioning routes and of
transmutation fuels for P/T strategies implementation”, Proc. Int. Conf. GLOBAL 2007,
Boise, Sept. 2007
[2] C. Prunier, F. Boussard, L. Koch, M. Coquerelle, "Some specific aspects of homogeneous
Am and Np based transmutation fuels through the outcomes of the SUPERFACT experiment
in the Phénix reactor", Proc. Global 1993, Seattle, September 1993.
[3] C.T. Walker, G. Nicolaou, "Transmutation of Np and Am in a fast neutron flux: EPMA results
and KORIGEN predictions for the SUPERFACT fuels", J. Nucl. Mater., 218(1995)129
[4] J. Knebel et. Al: “European research programme for the transmutation of high level nuclear
waste in an accelerator driven system – EUROTRANS” Proc. FISA 2006 Luxemburg
(March 2006) EUR 21231
[5] A. C. Mueller: “The PDS-XADS Reference Accelerator” International Workshop on P&T
and ADS Development, October 2003, SCK•CEN Mol, Belgium.
[6] P. Pierini: “ADS Reliability Activities in Europe”, 4th OECD NEA International Workshop
on Utilization and Reliability of HPPA, May 2004, Daejon, Rep. of Korea.
[7] J-L. Biarrotte et al.: “A reference accelerator scheme for ADS applications”, International
Conference on Accelerator Applications, August 2005, Venice, Italy.
[8] R.J.M. Konings, R. Conrad, G. Dasel, B.J. Pijlgroms, J. Somers and E. Toscano, "The EFT-
TRA-T4 experiment on americium transmutation", J. Nucl. Mater., 282(2000)159.
[9] Ch. Hellwig, M. Streit, P. Blair, T. Tverberg, F.C. Klaassen, R.P.C. Schram, F. Vettraino, T.
Yamashita, "Inert matrix fuel behaviour in test irradiations", Journal of Nuclear Materials
352 (2006) 291–299
[10] G.Gaillard-Groléas, F.Sudreau, D.Warin, "PHENIX Irradiation Program on Fuels and Targets
for Transmutation", Proc. Global 2003, New Orleans, December 2003.
[11] P. Baeten et.al.: “The “GUINEVERE“ project at the VENUS facility” Proc. HPPA’05 on
“Utilisation and Reliability of High Power Proton Accelerators” Mol, Belgium (May 2007)
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