Accelerator-Driven System (ADS) Applications and Use of Low-Enriched Uranium in ADSs

Closed for proposals

Project Type

Coordinated Research Project

Project Code

T33002

CRP

2167

Approved Date

9 December 2015

Status

Closed

Start Date

18 March 2016

Expected End Date

17 March 2019

Completed Date

2 June 2020

Participating Countries

Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Italy

Description

The proposed work to be undertaken in the frame of the present CRP will focus on the development of innovative applications for ADS facilities as well as on further development and validation of ADS technologies.Among the applications to be explored will be the use of ADS facilities to transmute nuclear waste, specifically, long-lived fission products and minor actinide (MA) materials generated during the operation of nuclear power reactors, and the development of robust techniques for on-line monitoring of ADS facilities. Attention will also be given to investigating the potential for use of ADS facilities as neutron sources for basic research, applied research, and for the production of needed radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the use of LEU fuel in the ADS facilities to be considered.

Objectives

The proposed work to be undertaken in the frame of the present CRP will focus on the development of innovative applications for ADS facilities as well as on further development and validation of ADS technologies.Among the applications to be explored will be the use of ADS facilities to transmute nuclear waste, specifically, long-lived fission products and minor actinide (MA) materials generated during the operation of nuclear power reactors, and the development of robust techniques for on-line monitoring of ADS facilities. Attention will also be given to investigating the potential for use of ADS facilities as neutron sources for basic research, applied research, and for the production of needed radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications.  As in the previous collaborative work project, a strong emphasis will be placed on the use of LEU fuel in the ADS facilities to be considered.

Specific objectives

Conduct research on1. Online subcriticality monitoring techniques - Concept development - Experimental verifications 2. ADS thorium utilization - Experimental measurements - U-233 ADS breeder design concept development - Energy amplifier concept development 3. Production of radioactive isotopes - Studies - Experimental measurements 4. Transmutation - Experimental measurements - Burner concept development 5. ADS shielding studies - Design studies - Experimental measurements 6. ADS burnup analyses and subcriticality compensation for the near term experimental facilities. 7. Solid target design concept development and operational experience

Impact

Impact is immediate, in that some of the participating MSs used the CRP analysis work as an opportunity to develop junior staff and to expand knowledge of ADS analytical tools.
Future impact is expected in the global ADS community through better understanding of ADS-related nuclear data and analytical codes; broader understanding of possible applications of ADS facilities; confirmation of applications for LEU fuel that could encourage conversion from HEU fuel.
Multiple papers published in journals and presented at international conferences.
5 PhD and 2 MS projects based on this work.

Relevance

High relevance. All participants were grateful for the opportunity to learn from their colleagues, and to have access to facility experimental data that would not otherwise have been available through bilateral arrangements.

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