Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Two-tiered approach for light water reactor waste disposition using existing light water reactors and a minor actinide burner

H.R. Trellue, E.J. Pitcher, P. Chodak III, D. Bennett

Abstract

One approach being explored for the disposition of light-water reactor (LWR) spent, low-enriched uranium fuel (LEUF) is a two-tiered scheme in which the plutonium is separated from LWR transuranic waste and returned to existing LWRs as nonfertile fuel (NFF) and minor actinides are sent to an accelerator-driven system. Preliminary studies have shown that significant portions of LWR cores can be replaced by this NFF using existing safety envelopes without reactor modification. Substantial burnup of 239Pu and total plutonium can be achieved using NFF in existing LWRs. An accelerator-driven subcritical burner is used to burn remaining isotopes directly from the LWR-spent LEUF combined with the residual actinide from the spent NFF assemblies. The use of a fission product target outside the main blanket of transuranic material is also discussed.

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key words: Fast Neutron Spectrum Systems, Nuclear Technology
Reference:
Proceedings of a Committee Meeting (TCM) on “Core Physics and Engineering Aspects of Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems for Energy Generation and Transmutation” held in Argonne, Illinois, U.S.A., 28 November - 1 December 2000
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IAEA-TECDOC--1356, pp:110-119