Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Criteria for achieving actinide reduction goals

Abstract

In order to discuss various criteria for achieving actinide reduction goals, the goals for actinide reduction must be defined themselves. In this context the term actinides is interpreted to mean plutonium and the so called ''minor actinides'' neptunium, americium and curium, but also protactinium. Some possible goals and the reasons behind these will be presented. On the basis of the suggested goals it is possible to analyze various types of devices for production of nuclear energy from uranium or thorium, such as thermal or fast reactors and accelerator driven system, with their associated fuel cycles with regard to their ability to reach the actinide reduction goals. The relation between necessary single cycle burn-up values, fuel cycle processing losses and losses to waste will be defined and discussed. Finally, an attempt is made to arrange the possible systems on order of performance with regard to their potential to reduce the actinide inventory and the actinide losses to wastes.

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Reference:

Advanced fuels with reduced actinide generation.Technical committee meeting, Vienna (Austria). 21-23 Nov 1995

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--916, pp:31-38