ECN contributions to ADTT `96

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Koning, A.J.

1996-07-01

An outline is presented of the status of nuclear data evaluation for accelerator-driven systems. The international effort consists mainly of measuring, compiling and calculating nuclear data for elements and isotopes relevant for transmutation of radioactive waste (ATW), energy amplification and other accelerator-related nuclear applications. We argue that input for global, macroscopic calculation schemes for hybrid nuclear systems basically should consist of three types of nuclear data: (a) High-energy transport codes for energies above about 150 MeV, (b) neutron and proton transport data files for energies below about 150 MeV and (c) neutron and proton transmutation/activation libraries below about 150 MeV. Our specific contribution to the field concerns (b) and (c). The progress of the evaluation of high-energy nuclear data files for the most important materials and the related compilation of nuclear reaction information is reported. The evaluated data are calculated with the computer codes ECIS95, MINGUS and GNASH and are stored in ENDF6-format. We illustrate the library production with a short outline of the employed physical methods. Finally, we briefly discuss the application of the activation/transmutation library ECNAF96. (orig.).

The Los Alamos accelerator driven transmutation of nuclear waste (ATW) concept development of the ATW target/blanket system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Venneri, F.; Williamson, M.A.; Ning, L.

1997-01-01

The studies carried out in the frame of the Accelerator Driven Transmutation Technology (ADTT) program developed at Los Alamos in order to solve the nuclear waste problem and to build a new generation of safer and non-proliferant nuclear power plants, are presented

Summary of experiments and data breakout group

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wender, S. [Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM (United States)

1995-10-01

The Experiments and Data Breakout Group addressed status of experiments directed towards, or relevant to, ADTT system development. Such experiments are the bridge between ideas and reality. They simultaneously cross cut all major technology and components of ADTT systems - accelerators, target/blanket, separations, and materials. At this Conference the large majority of papers dealing with experiments were on nuclear data and cross sections. No separate papers were presented on materials experiments although data were included in papers presented at the several sessions on materials. Beginning engineering experiments were also discussed which could address issues such as neutronics performance and code benchmarking, handling of special products through processes such as sparging of volatiles, determination of thermal hydraulics performance, and beginning safety performance. One recommendation from this group was the formation of a group to collate and prioritize data needs and to provide input to existing data centers.

A new approach to modeling linear accelerator systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gillespie, G.H.; Hill, B.W.; Jameson, R.A.

1994-01-01

A novel computer code is being developed to generate system level designs of radiofrequency ion accelerators with specific applications to machines of interest to Accelerator Driven Transmutation Technologies (ADTT). The goal of the Accelerator System Model (ASM) code is to create a modeling and analysis tool that is easy to use, automates many of the initial design calculations, supports trade studies used in accessing alternate designs and yet is flexible enough to incorporate new technology concepts as they emerge. Hardware engineering parameters and beam dynamics are to be modeled at comparable levels of fidelity. Existing scaling models of accelerator subsystems were used to produce a prototype of ASM (version 1.0) working within the Shell for Particle Accelerator Related Code (SPARC) graphical user interface. A small user group has been testing and evaluating the prototype for about a year. Several enhancements and improvements are now being developed. The current version of ASM is described and examples of the modeling and analysis capabilities are illustrated. The results of an example study, for an accelerator concept typical of ADTT applications, is presented and sample displays from the computer interface are shown

Developments of linacs for ADTT in the USA

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schriber, S.O.

1997-01-01

Interesting developments in linear accelerators have been attained over the past 45 years. The status of linear accelerators and future possibilities will be described in context of demanding applications and technology maturity. Features of industrial or factory-type applications are high availability, economic operations, low investment cost and ease of running the facility. All have been demonstrated in one manner or another at large operating facilities for the research community within a different context that has been argued in the past to be not as demanding as for a factory installation. In addition, comments will be made relative to intense beam power levels and choices that can be made for power levels below 10 MW on the assumption that a cw beam is required

Molten Salt Fuel Cycle Requirements for ADTT Applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Del Cul, G.D.; Toth, L.M.; Williams, D.F.

1999-01-01

The operation of an ADT system with the associated nuclear reactions has a profound effect upon the chemistry of the fuel - especially with regards to container compatibility and the chemical separations that may be required. The container can be protected by maintaining the redox chemistry within a relatively narrow, non-corrosive window. Neutron economy as well as other factors require a sophisticated regime of fission product separations. Neither of these control requirements has been demonstrated on the scale or degree of sophistication necessary to support an ADT device. We review the present situation with respect to fluoride salts, and focus on the critical issues in these areas which must be addressed. One requirement for advancement in this area - a supply of suitable materials - will soon be fulfilled by the remediation of ORNLs Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, and the removal of a total of 11,000 kg of enriched (Li-7 > 99.9%) coolant, flush, and fuel salts

Experimental facilities for research of properties and behaviour of fluoride salts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hosnedl, P.; Jilek, M.; Kroc, V.; Pedal, L.; Valenta, V.; Vodicka, J.

1999-01-01

SKODA JS s.r.o. (Czech leading nuclear technology manufacturer) prepared and manufactured experimental loops for research and verification of properties and behaviour of fluoride salts for primary and secondary circuit, construction materials and ADTT systems technological components for the operation in the Nuclear Research Institute Rez plc fluorine chemistry laboratory. This paper presents charts and experimental program for molten fluoride salts experimental loops with natural circulation. Further on, the paper describes extension of the loops for research with forced circulation and next works for steam generator model verification and connection with the loop of Energovyzkum Brno. The loops are designed and constructed to obtain a sufficient amount of experience on ADTT technology. The research and utilisation program covers questions of corrosion and intergranular corrosion of structural materials, research of material properties and welding, research of fluoride fluid properties, measuring of thermo-hydraulic properties of molten salt fluoride fluids, heat transfer and hydraulics, development and tests of some plant components (steam generators, heat exchangers, pumps, valves) and other engineering issues. Two electrolyzers have been manufactured for the research of fuel/coolant fluoride salts mixture purification. One for the production of hydrogen fluoride, and the other for the research of salts purification. (author)

The Los Alamos accelerator-driven transmutation of nuclear waste (ATW) concept development of the ATW target/blanket system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Venneri, F.; Williamson, M.A.; Ning, L.

1997-01-01

In the past several years, the Los Alamos ADTT program has conducted studies of an innovative technology for solving the nuclear waste problem and building a new generation of safer and non-proliferant nuclear power plants. The ATW concept destroys higher actinides, plutonium and selected fission products in a liquid-fuel subcritical assembly. In this paper special attention is given to the basic design of the ATW Molten Salt concept and the safety perspective. 40 refs., 11 figs

Why have we stopped research on liquid centrifugal separation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, N.

1996-01-01

Using high-temperature high-speed liquid centrifuges for lanthanides and actinides separation was originally proposed as a physical separation method in the Los Alamos ADTT/ATW concept [C. Bowman, LA-UR-92-1065 (1992)]. The authors investigated centrifugal separation in a concerted effort of experiments, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. They discovered that owing to the ionic-composition-dependence of the sedimentation coefficients for the fission products and actinides, separation by grouping of molecular densities would not work in general in the molten salt environment. Alternatively the lanthanides and actinides could be transferred to a liquid metal carrier (e.g. bismuth) via reductive extraction and then separated by liquid centrifuges, but the material and technical challenges are severe. Meanwhile the authors have established that the reductive extraction procedure itself can be used for desired separations. Unlike conventional aqueous-based reprocessing technologies, reductive extraction separation uses only reagent (Li) that reconstitutes carrier salts (LiF-BeF 2 ) and a processing medium (Bi) that can be continuously recycled and reused, with a nearly-pure fission products waste stream. The processing units are compact and reliable, and can be built at relatively low cost while maintaining high throughput. Therefore the research effort on developing liquid centrifuges for separations in ADTT/ATW was terminated in late 1995. This paper will discuss the various aspects involved in reaching this decision

Summary of the Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Technologies and their applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wanger, T.P.

1995-10-01

During the past 15 years many advances have been made in the technology of high-power accelerators, and in the understanding of the beam-physics issues associated with their high-performance requirements. These developments have contributed significantly to the high level of confidence in the practicality of the applications that were the central point of the international Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Technologies (ADTT) Conference. Even so, there are many accelerator topics that needed to be addressed, and the Conference provided the opportunity to address these issues.

Liquid fuel concept benefits

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hron, M.

1996-01-01

There are principle drawbacks of any kind of solid nuclear fuel listed and analyzed in the first part of the paper. One of the primary results of the analyses performed shows that the solid fuel concept, which was to certain degree advantageous in the first periods of a nuclear reactor development and operation, has guided this branch of a utilization of atomic nucleus energy to a death end. On the background of this, the liquid fuel concept and its benefits are introduced and briefly described in the first part of the paper, too. As one of the first realistic attempts to utilize the advantages of liquid fuels, the reactor/blanket system with molten fluoride salts in the role of fuel and coolant simultaneously, as incorporated in the accelerator-driven transmutation technology (ADTT) being proposed and currently having been under development in the Los Alamos National Laboratory, will be studied both theoretically and experimentally. There is a preliminary design concept of an experimental assembly LA-O briefly introduced in the paper which is under preparation in the Czech Republic for such a project. Finally, there will be another very promising concept of a small low power ADTT system introduced which is characterized by a high level of safety and economical efficiency. In the conclusion, the overall survey of principal benefits which may be expected by introducing liquid nuclear fuel in nuclear power and research reactor systems is given and critically analyzed. 7 refs, 4 figs

Materials considerations for molten salt accelerator-based plutonium conversion systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

DiStefano, J.R.; DeVan, J.H.; Keiser, J.R.; Klueh, R.L.; Eatherly, W.P.

1995-03-01

Accelerator-driven transmutation technology (ADTT) refers to a concept for a system that uses a blanket assembly driven by a source of neutrons produced when high-energy protons from an accelerator strike a heavy metal target. One application for such a system is called Accelerator-Based Plutonium Conversion, or ABC. Currently, the version of this concept being proposed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory features a liquid lead target material and a blanket fuel of molten fluorides that contain plutonium. Thus, the materials to be used in such a system must have, in addition to adequate mechanical strength, corrosion resistance to molten lead, corrosion resistance to molten fluoride salts, and resistance to radiation damage. In this report the corrosion properties of liquid lead and the LiF-BeF 2 molten salt system are reviewed in the context of candidate materials for the above application. Background information has been drawn from extensive past studies. The system operating temperature, type of protective environment, and oxidation potential of the salt are shown to be critical design considerations. Factors such as the generation of fission products and transmutation of salt components also significantly affect corrosion behavior, and procedures for inhibiting their effects are discussed. In view of the potential for extreme conditions relative to neutron fluxes and energies that can occur in an ADTT, a knowledge of radiation effects is a most important factor. Present information for potential materials selections is summarized

Materials considerations for molten salt accelerator-based plutonium conversion systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

DiStefano, J.R.; DeVan, J.H.; Keiser, J.R.; Klueh, R.L.; Eatherly, W.P.

1995-02-01

Accelerator-driven transmutation technology (ADTT) refers to a concept for a system that uses a blanket assembly driven by a source of neutrons produced when high-energy protons from an accelerator strike a heavy metal target. One application for such a system is called Accelerator-Based Plutonium Conversion, or ABC. Currently, the version of this concept being proposed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory features a liquid lead target material and a blanket fuel of molten fluorides that contain plutonium. Thus, the materials to be used in such a system must have, in addition to adequate mechanical strength, corrosion resistance to molten lead, corrosion resistance to molten fluoride salts, and resistance to radiation damage. In this report the corrosion properties of liquid lead and the LiF-BeF 2 molten salt system are reviewed in the context of candidate materials for the above application. Background information has been drawn from extensive past studies. The system operating temperature, type of protective environment, and oxidation potential of the salt are shown to be critical design considerations. Factors such as the generation of fission products and transmutation of salt components also significantly affect corrosion behavior, and procedures for inhibiting their effects are discussed. In view of the potential for extreme conditions relative to neutron fluxes and energies that can occur in an ADTT, a knowledge of radiation effects is a most important factor. Present information for potential materials selections is summarized

Important requirements for RF generators for Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Technologies (ADTT)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lynch, M.T.; Tallerico, P.J.; Lawrence, G.P.

1994-01-01

All Accelerator-Driven Transmutation applications require very large amounts of RF Power. For example, one version of a Plutonium burning system requires an 800-MeV, 80-mA, proton accelerator running at 100% duty factor. This accelerator requires approximately 110-MW of continuous RF power if one assumes only 10% reserve power for control of the accelerator fields. In fact, to minimize beam spill, the RF controls may need as much as 15 to 20% of reserve power. In addition, unlike an electron accelerator in which the beam is relativistic, a failed RF station can disturb the synchronism of the beam, possibly shutting down the entire accelerator. These issues and more lead to a set of requirements for the RF generators which are stringent, and in some cases, conflicting. In this paper, we will describe the issues and requirements, and outline a plan for RF generator development to meet the needs of the Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Technologies. The key issues which will be discussed include: operating efficiency, operating linearity, effect on the input power grid, bandwidth, gain, reliability, operating voltage, and operating current

Safety aspects of targets for ADTT: Activity, volatile products, residual heat release

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gai, E.V.; Ignatyuk, A.V.; Lunev, V.P.; Shubin, Yu.N.

1999-01-01

Safety aspects of heavy metal liquid targets for the accelerator driven systems connected with the activity accumulation and residual energy release due to the irradiation with high energy proton beam are discussed. The results obtained for the lead-bismuth target that are under construction in IPPE now in the frame of ISTC Project No. 559 are briefly presented. The calculations and the analysis of the accumulation of the spallation reaction products, activity and energy release at various moments after the accelerator shutdown are presented. The concentrations of the reaction products, the total and partial activities, the activities of volatile products are determined. The contributions of the short-lived nuclides important for the prediction of the facility behaviour in regimes with the accelerator beam trips. The calculations and analysis of the residual energy release due to different decay type have been performed. The conclusions are as follows. The obtained results showed that long lived radioactivity accumulates mainly due to primary nuclear reactions. Secondary reactions are responsible for the production of small number of long-lived isotopes Bi-207, Po-210 and some others, being generated by radiative capture of low energy neutrons. It is possible to make a conclusion that neutrons in the energy range 20 - 800 MeV and protons with energy above 100 MeV give main contribution to the total activity generation although these parts of spectra inside the target give comparatively small contribution to the total flux. The correct consideration of short-lived nuclides contribution is the main problem in the analysis of the target behaviour in the case of short accelerator shutdowns. They make the determining contribution to the both activity and the heat release at the first moments after the accelerator shutdown, creating the intermediate links and additional channels for the long-lived nuclides accumulation chains. The strong dependence of calculated concentrations of short-lived nuclides on the choice of the cross section data library for the determining of the reaction rates was noted . The calculations and analysis of residual heat release have been performed for two regimes also. The contributions of different radiation modes were determined. The residual heat release at the accelerator shutdown is due to beta-decays of short-lived nuclides mainly. In the case of β + -decay the total heat release is due to gamma-radiation (directly or as a result of positron-electron annihilation), so this radiation gives more than 90 % of heat release at the first days of cooling

Research and development of pyrochemical technologies for ADTT systems in NRI Rez plc

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uhlir, J.

1999-01-01

The activities within the Czech national Partitioning and Transmutation program are oriented mainly toward the following areas: (i) ADS flowsheeting working out a proposal for a suitable technological flowsheet for treating spent fuel into a form fitted for transmutation reactor, including separation procedures before transmutation (Front-end) and separation processes after passage of fuel through the transmutor (Back-end). (ii) Technological research into the uranium component separation from spent fuel by the Fluoride Volatility Method semi-pilot-plant technological research based on the application of experience from spent fuel fluoride reprocessing. (iii) Laboratory research into electro-separation methods for the separation of fission products, plutonium and minor actinides from the fluoride melt. Selection of a suitable matrix composition of fluoride melts based on studies of their physicochemical properties and design of laboratory electro-separation facility. (iv) Development of materials and equipment for molten fluoride salts based ADS technologies, i.e. construction materials development, research into the corrosion resistance and development of equipment for molten fluoride salts technologies. The NRI Rez plc cooperates in this area with the SKODA Nuclear Machinery company

Separations technology development to support accelerator-driven transmutation concepts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Venneri, F.; Arthur, E.; Bowman, C.

1996-01-01

This is the final report of a one-year Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This project investigated separations technology development needed for accelerator-driven transmutation technology (ADTT) concepts, particularly those associated with plutonium disposition (accelerator-based conversion, ABC) and high-level radioactive waste transmutation (accelerator transmutation of waste, ATW). Specific focus areas included separations needed for preparation of feeds to ABC and ATW systems, for example from spent reactor fuel sources, those required within an ABC/ATW system for material recycle and recovery of key long-lived radionuclides for further transmutation, and those required for reuse and cleanup of molten fluoride salts. The project also featured beginning experimental development in areas associated with a small molten-salt test loop and exploratory centrifugal separations systems

Closed ThUOX Fuel Cycle for LWRs with ADTT (ATW) Backend for the 21st Century

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beller, D.E.; Sailor, W.C.; Venneri, F.

1998-01-01

A future nuclear energy scenario with a closed, thorium-uranium-oxide (ThUOX) fuel cycle and new light water reactors (TULWRs) supported by Accelerator Transmutation of Waste (ATW) systems could provide several improvements beyond today's once-through, UO 2 -fueled nuclear technology. A deployment scenario with TULWRs plus ATWs to burn the actinides produced by these LWRs and to close the back-end of the ThUOX fuel cycle was modeled to satisfy a US demand that increases linearly from 80 GWe in 2020 to 200 GWe by 2100. During the first 20 years of the scenario (2000-2020), nuclear energy production in the US declines from today's 100 GWe to about 80 GWe, in accordance with forecasts of the US DOE's Energy Information Administration. No new nuclear systems are added during this declining nuclear energy period, and all existing LWRs are shut down by 2045. Beginning in 2020, ATWs that transmute the actinides from existing LWRs are deployed, along with TULWRs and additional ATWs with a support ratio of 1 ATW to 7 TULWRs to meet the energy demand scenario. A final mix of 174 GWe from TULWRs and 26 GWe from ATWs provides the 200 GWe demand in 2100. Compared to a once-through LWR scenario that meets the same energy demand, the TULWR/ATW concept could result in the following improvements: depletion of natural uranium resources would be reduced by 50%; inventories of Pu which may result in weapons proliferation will be reduced in quantity by more than 98% and in quality because of higher neutron emissions and 50 times the alpha-decay heating of weapons-grade plutonium; actinides (and possibly fission products) for final disposal in nuclear waste would be substantially reduced; and the cost of fuel and the fuel cycle may be 20-30% less than the once-through UO 2 fuel cycle

Measurement of solubility of plutonium trifluoride and rare-earth fluorides in molten LiF-BeF2-ZrF4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Naumov, V.S.; Bychkov, A.V.; Kormilitsyn, M.V.

1996-12-01

Data on behavior of plutonium fluoride and fission products (FP) dissolved in fuel composition are needed to calculate the duration of an operating cycle of the ADTT facility (Accelerator-Driver Transmutation Technologies) and to determine the effect of their equilibrium concentrations on nuclear-physical characteristics of reactor operation. The data on the FP fluoride solubility in the molten salts are of great important for some industrial processes (electrolytical metal deposition, development of physical-chemical mean for processes of chemical technology, etc.) As noted above, some information on this question is given in monography and articles. Data concerning fluoride salts are given in reports. However, it was impossible to make the substantial analysis of mutual solubility of fluoride melts. The primary investigation of CeF 3 and neodymium, samarium and lanthanum fluorides showed that the solubility of the melt LiF-BeF 2 and LiF-BeF 2 -ThF 4 was a linear function of reverse temperature and increases from lanthanum to samarium in the row of rare-earth elements. Disagreement in estimation of plutonium trifluoride solubility and incomplete data on the solubility of rare-earth elements prompted this study

Accelerator-driven transmutation: a high-tech solution to some nuclear waste problems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hechanova, A.E.

2000-01-01

This paper discusses current technical and political issues regarding the innovative concept of using accelerator-driven transmutation processes for nuclear waste management. Two complex and related issues are addressed. First, the evolution and improvements of the design technologies are identified to indicate that there has been sufficient technological advancement with regard to a 1991 scientific peer review to warrant the advent of a large-scale national research and development program. Second, the economics and politics of the transmutation system are examined to identify non-technical barriers to the implementation of the program. Transmutation of waste has been historically viewed by nuclear engineers as one of those technologies that is too good to be true and probably too expensive to be feasible. The concept discussed in the present paper uses neutrons ( which result from protons accelerated into spallation targets)to transmute the major very long-lived hazardous materials such as the radioactive isotopes of technetium, iodine, neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium. Although not a new concept, accelerator-driven transmutation technology (ADTT) lead by a team at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has made some significant advances which are discussed in the present paper. (authors)

Aerospace Engineering Systems

Science.gov (United States)

VanDalsem, William R.; Livingston, Mary E.; Melton, John E.; Torres, Francisco J.; Stremel, Paul M.

1999-01-01

Continuous improvement of aerospace product development processes is a driving requirement across much of the aerospace community. As up to 90% of the cost of an aerospace product is committed during the first 10% of the development cycle, there is a strong emphasis on capturing, creating, and communicating better information (both requirements and performance) early in the product development process. The community has responded by pursuing the development of computer-based systems designed to enhance the decision-making capabilities of product development individuals and teams. Recently, the historical foci on sharing the geometrical representation and on configuration management are being augmented: Physics-based analysis tools for filling the design space database; Distributed computational resources to reduce response time and cost; Web-based technologies to relieve machine-dependence; and Artificial intelligence technologies to accelerate processes and reduce process variability. Activities such as the Advanced Design Technologies Testbed (ADTT) project at NASA Ames Research Center study the strengths and weaknesses of the technologies supporting each of these trends, as well as the overall impact of the combination of these trends on a product development event. Lessons learned and recommendations for future activities will be reported.

Aerospace Engineering Systems and the Advanced Design Technologies Testbed Experience

Science.gov (United States)

VanDalsem, William R.; Livingston, Mary E.; Melton, John E.; Torres, Francisco J.; Stremel, Paul M.

1999-01-01

Continuous improvement of aerospace product development processes is a driving requirement across much of the aerospace community. As up to 90% of the cost of an aerospace product is committed during the first 10% of the development cycle, there is a strong emphasis on capturing, creating, and communicating better information (both requirements and performance) early in the product development process. The community has responded by pursuing the development of computer-based systems designed to enhance the decision-making capabilities of product development individuals and teams. Recently, the historical foci on sharing the geometrical representation and on configuration management are being augmented: 1) Physics-based analysis tools for filling the design space database; 2) Distributed computational resources to reduce response time and cost; 3) Web-based technologies to relieve machine-dependence; and 4) Artificial intelligence technologies to accelerate processes and reduce process variability. The Advanced Design Technologies Testbed (ADTT) activity at NASA Ames Research Center was initiated to study the strengths and weaknesses of the technologies supporting each of these trends, as well as the overall impact of the combination of these trends on a product development event. Lessons learned and recommendations for future activities are reported.

The current status and possible future of the Los Alamos spallation radiation effects facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Borden, M.J.; Sommer, W.F. [Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM (United States)

1995-10-01

The Los Alamos Spallation Radiation Effects Facility (LASREF) has been configured for both proton and spallation neutron irradiations since 1985. The facility makes use of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility 1 mA 800 MeV proton beam. Environment controlled proton and neutron irradiations have been demonstrated over the past nine years. The current copper beam stop configuration produces a maximum measured neutron flux of 4.6 x 10{sup 17} m{sup {minus}2}s{sup {minus}1} for energies greater than 1 KeV. The maximum proton flux at the center of Gaussian shaped beam is 1.2 x 10{sup 14} protons cm{sup {minus}2}s{sup {minus}1} with beam spot diameter of 3.5 cm at 2{sigma}. Previously published work has shown that the neutron flux can be increased by a factor of ten by changing the beam stop to tungsten and decreasing the diameter. Expertise exists at Los Alamos to further optimize this design to tailor neutron production and spectrum. Consideration and preliminary planning has also been done for increasing the LAMPF proton current from 1 mA to a few mA with a possible maximum of 10 mA. An upgrade of this type would produce current densities comparable to those proposed for the Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Technologies (ADTT) programs.

Analytical and experimental analysis of YALINA-Booster and YALINA-Thermal assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kiyavitskaya, H.; Bournos, V.; Mazanik, S.; Khilmanovich, A.; Martsinkevich, B.; Routkovskaya, Ch.; Edchik, I.; Fokov, Y.; Sadovich, S.; Fedorenko, A.; Gohar, Y.; Talamo, A.

2010-01-01

Full text: Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) may play an important role in future nuclear fuel cycles to reduce the longterm radiotoxicity and volume of spent nuclear fuel. It is proposed that ADS will produce energy and incinerate radioactive waste. This technology was called Accelerator Driven Transmutation Technology (ADTT). The most important problems of this technology are monitoring of a reactivity level in on-line regime, a choice of neutron spectrum appropriate for incineration of Minor Actinides (MA) and transmutation of Long Lived Fission Products (LLFP) and etc. Before the designing and construction of an installation it is necessary to carry out R and D to validate codes, nuclear data libraries and other instrumentations. The YALINA facility is designed to study the ADS physics and to investigate the transmutation reaction rates of MA and LLFP. The main objective of the YALINA benchmark is to compare the results from different calculation methods with each other and experimental data. The benchmark is based on the current YALINA facility configuration, which provides the opportunity to verify the prediction capability of the different methods. The experimental data have been obtained in the frame of the ISTC Projects B1341 'Analytical and experimental evaluation of the possibility to create a universal volume source of neutrons in the sub-critical booster assembly with low enrichment uranium fuel driven by a neutron generator' and B1732P 'Analytical and experimental evaluating the possibility of creation of universal volume source of neutrons in the sub-critical booster assembly with low enriched uranium fuel driven by the neutron generator'. In this paper a comparison of the experimental and calculated data obtained for YALINA-Booster subcritical assembly with a fuel of different enrichment and for YALINA-Thermal with a different number of control rods (216, 245 and 280) will be done.

A repository released-dose model for the evaluation of long-lived fission product transmutation effectiveness

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Davidson, J.W.

1995-01-01

A methodology has been developed to quantify the total integrated dose due to a radionuclide species i emplaced in a geologic repository; the focus is on the seven long-lived fission products (LLFPs). The methodology assumes continuous exposure water contaminated with species i at the accessible environment (i.e., just beyond the geologic barrier afforded by the geologic repository). The dose integration is performed out to a reference post-release time. The integrated dose is a function of the total initial inventory of radionuclide i the repository, the time at which complete and instantaneous failure of the engineered barrier (e.g., waste canister) in, a geologic repository occurs, the fractional dissolution rate (from waste solid form) of radionuclide i in ground water, the ground water travel time to the accessible environment, the retardation factor (sorption on the geologic media) for radionuclide i, the time after radionuclide begins to enter the biosphere. In order to assess relative dose, the ratio of total integrated dose to that for a reference LLFP species j (e.g., 99 Tc) was defined. This ratio is a measure of the relative benefit of transmutation of other LLFPs compared to 99 Tc. This methodology was further developed in order to quantify the integrated dose reduction per neutron utilized for LLFP transmutation in accelerator-driven transmutation technologies (ADTT). This measure of effectiveness is a function of the integrated dose due to LLFP species i, the number of total captures in LLFP species i chain per LLFP nuclide fed to the chain at equilibrium, and the number of total captures in related transmutation product (TP) chains per capture in the LLFP species i chain. To assess relative transmutation effectiveness, the ratio of integrated dose reduction per neutron utilization to that for a reference LLFP species j (e.g., 99 Tc) was defined. This relative measure of effectiveness was evaluated LLFP transmutation strategy

Extensive utilization of training reactor VR-1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matejka, Karel; Sklenka, Lubomir

2003-01-01

to provide special training for selected specialists from Czech and Slovak Nuclear Power Plants. Scientific research respects reactor parameters and requirements of the so-called clean reactor core (free from a major effect of the fission products). Research on VR-1 is mainly aimed at the preparation and testing of new educational methodologies, investigation of reactor lattice parameters, reactor dynamics study, research in the control equipment field, neutron detector calibration, etc. Information services and promotional activities in the nuclear power field are important parts of the reactor operation. Many visitors, mainly high school students, come to the reactor. The reactor staff prepares an attractive program including reactor operation. Every year, more than 1500 high school students come to visit the reactor, as do many foreigner visitors. The plan for the training reactor VR-1 for the next 10 years covers essential activities (less important activities describes the annual plan for each year) in five fields: education activities, research activities, public relation activities, international cooperation, and human resources, innovation and new equipment.Education activities: Keeping the current state in the field number of user schools, number of students and number of offered experimental exercises; Improving existing experimental exercises and establishing new according requests users from Universities and Nuclear Engineering companies, for example: study of neutron noise and it's application, study of thermal effects, study of digital control systems, study of transmutation technologies ADTT, study of neutron detectors. Research activities: Seeking research activities which can use advantages of 'clean' core without temperature, pressure, burn-up feedback etc.; Continuing in study of the digitally controlled nuclear research reactors; Continuing development of control equipment the VR-1 reactor; Continuing wide co-operation with Czech and Slovak

Review of national accelerator driven system programmes for partitioning and transmutation. Proceedings of an advisory group meeting

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2003-08-01

: Comprehensive presentations from groups conducting the most active research and development projects (Prof. Rubbia (on behalf of the '3 countries initiative': French-Italian-Spanish collaboration), CERN, CEA, JAERI, USA (LANL, BNL, LLNL, ANL, ONL), EC ADS-project (TARC, IABAT), Russian Federation. The presentations centered on the following issues: General issues and motivations: national/international views, specifically: Why is ADS needed for the country; Role of ADS in future nuclear cycles and waste management; General safety issues and requirements of ADS; Public acceptance; ADS Technology; Accelerators for ADTT (cyclotrons and linacs); Specific requirements and features of ADS accelerators; Reliability of operation; Design efficiency; Development of ADS-oriented codes and methods; Benchmark reports; Experiments and validation of codes; Deterministic and Monte-Carlo codes; Coupling of high and low energy transport; Static and dynamic methods for subcritical systems; Spallation and fission product modeling; Targets and nuclear assemblies for ADS; ADS Targets (solid and liquid); Damage to materials (Materials irradiation in Proton field, High energy neutron field, Temperature/shock effects, etc., experiments related to Technology of heavy liquid metals, Thermohydraulics, Corrosion); Experiments (Hg target experiments at BNL; Subcritical cores, Fuels and fuel processes, Molten salt reactors)

High priority nuclear data request list. The data for long-lived fission products, minor actinides and the thorium cycle

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rowlands, J. [Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, Nuclear Energy Agency, 75 - Paris (France)

2002-07-01

fission products, minor actinides and the thorium cycle'' (J.L. Rowlands, OECD-NEA) and ''the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's working groups on nuclear data'' (C. Nordborg, OECD-NEA), and all the available transparencies of this workshop: ''radiation-induced damage to structural materials and related needs for structural data in ADTT design''; ''a CERN-PS experimental campaign to measure neutron cross sections from 1 eV to 250 MeV with high resolution''; ''program for neutron data measurements in the fast neutron region (0.1 to 3 MeV)'' (CEN-Bordeaux Gradignan); ''integral experiments: the physics approach'' (CEA-DRN),; ''Mini-Inca, integral measurement relevant for nuclear waste transmutation systems'' (CEA-Saclay/DSM/DAPNIA/SPhN and Inst. Laue Langevin, Grenoble); ''experimental check of neutron cross-sections using slowing down spectrometer (SDS) and accurate Monte-Carlo simulation calculation'' (IN2P3-ISN Grenoble and TARC collaboration); ''recent experimental results on spallation target related data'' (GSI); ''measurements of (n,px), (n,dx), (n,tx) and (n,{alpha}x) reactions between 25 and 70 MeV at Louvain-la-Neuve (IPN Louvain-la-Neuve); ''the Subatech and LPCC-Caen proposals''; and ''the proton elastic measurements at AGOR in the range 120-200 MeV (IPN-Orsay)''. (J.S.)

Project EROS development of a new reactor concept with liquid fuel based on molten fluorides for reducing the amount and hazard of nuclear waste. Demonstration of promising P and T technology at small scale

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hron, Miloslav J.

2005-01-01

There have been new tendencies of significant decreasing of amount and potential danger of nuclear waste getting up in the world of nuclear power during the last decade. The development of a convenient for those purposes technology has been in fact a rehabilitation of the so called nuclear transmutation technologies well known since the beginning of the first nuclear era, however, having been evaluated in those times as technologically and therefore even economically demanding to a non-acceptable level. Therefore, an attempt to develop new modifications of those technologies under different conditions at the end of the first nuclear era has been supposed to be promising and acceptable for an efficient closing of nuclear fuel cycle. These new modified transmutation technologies should make it possible to return a fuel component contained in nuclear fuel burned up in conventional nuclear reactors back to nuclear fuel cycle and to turn a significant part of long-lived nuclear waste (heavy metals from the transuranium region) to useful energy without rests and by an irreversible way. This could be, besides other positive features, a way, which according to our contemporary knowledge could exclude or at least minimize a non-desirable misusing of those nuclear materials. A series of national projects started at the end of 80s and beginning of 90s of the last century. For all of them, at least two should be mentioned: The Japanese project OMEGA and the ADTT project of LANL, USA. There has been such a project, which follows namely the tendencies established by Charles Bowman in LANL, started also in the Czech Republic in the middle of 90s. The project, latter on called SPHINX (SPent Hot fuel Incinerator by Neutron fluX), has focused on the development of a burner for spent fuel from PWRs having been operated in this and some other central European countries. The principle feature of the adopted transmuter concept has been, since the very beginning of the project, the