A high gain energy amplifier operated with fast neutrons

Rubbia, C.

doi:10.1063/1.49069

Cited by 109 publications

(50 citation statements)

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“…The aim of the n TOF project is the measurement of cross sections needed for the design of innovative ADS applications like incineration of nuclear waste [4,5], energy production [6,7], radioisotope production for medical applications [8] and basic science subjects, in particular astrophysics [1]. As a result of the studies reported in a first paper [2] and an addendum [3], the neutron time of flight facility has been proposed at the CERN PS [9] delivering a maximum intensity of 3 × 10 13 protons within a 14.4 s supercyle at a momentum of 20 GeV/c.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results from the commissioning of the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN

Borcea

Cennini

Dahlfors

et al. 2003

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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The new neutron time-of-flight facility (n TOF) has been built at CERN and is now operational. The facility is intended for the measurement of neutron induced cross sections of relevance to Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) and to fundamental physics. Neutrons are produced by spallation of the 20 GeV/c proton beam, delivered by the Proton Synchrotron (PS), on a massive target of pure lead. A measuring station is placed at ≈185 m from the neutron producing target, allowing high-resolution measurements. The facility was successfully commissioned with two campaigns of measurements, in Nov. 2000 and Apr. 2001. The main interest was concentrated in the physical parameters of the installation (neutron fluence and resolution function), along with the target behavior and various safety-related aspects. These measurements confirmed the expectations from Monte Carlo simulations of the facility, thus allowing to initiate the foreseen physics program.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results from the commissioning of the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN

Borcea

Cennini

Dahlfors

et al. 2003

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…Among fast spectrum systems some distinct safety superiority is shown by the pool type ones cooled with liquid Pb (Rubbia, 1995) or Pb}Bi eutectics, since their thermal properties exclude a core melt. The roots of the idea of Pb-cooled reactor (Adamov et al, 1991) descend from Pb}Bi Russian submarine propulsion units.…”

Section: Realisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of accelerator-driven subcritical systems for transmutations of nuclear waste

Taczanowski

2000

Int. J. Energy Res.

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A critical discussion of an emerging nuclear technology — accelerator‐driven subcritical systems (ADSS) for nuclear transmutations is the subject of this paper. Starting from a general background of world energy problems, the perspectives of nuclear power are discussed. On this basis it is concluded that, in response to the gradual exhaustion of fossil organic fuels, nuclear energy will play a major role provided a solution is found to various obstacles (insufficient safety — hazard of super prompt criticality and radioactive waste). The ADSS technology is considered, describing first the physical preconditionings of existing critical systems versus subcritical ones. It is indicated that in the existing systems a desirable closing of the fuel cycle is hardly possible since the minor actinides (MA) (unavoidably produced in significant quantities) show properties that for safety reasons disqualify them as fuel for critical systems. In this context, the remoteness of subcritical systems from super prompt criticality is pointed out as a parameter responsible for the key difference between the above systems. A superiority of subcritical ones is shown by comparing their behaviour in the case of a rapid reactivity insertion, that brings no risk in these, in contrast to the fast critical ones, thus giving good grounds for the development of this technology. One of the most viable forms of application of ADSS is a symbiotic nuclear energy system, consisting of an accelerator‐driven unit and a number of co‐operating light water reactors (LWRs). Finally, the research problems and difficulties are mentioned. It is noted that any form of closed fuel cycle cannot avoid dealing with large quantities of radioactive materials (actinides included), and their consequent problems. Yet, it seems that a definitive elimination of actinides and the use of enormous released energy are worth this price. Summarising, the concept of accelerator‐driven subcritical systems for nuclear transmutations significantly heightens the safety of nuclear power systems. Since this might facilitate social acceptance and deployment of nuclear energy, this technology is a most promising emerging option. Copyright © 2000 John Wiey & Sons, Ltd.

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“…A subcritical nuclear system based on U-Th cycle and fed by a high intensity proton accelerator can be used for energy production and for the transmutation of MAs and LLFP. Later on, the technical feasibility and verification of the principle of energy amplification were investigated [1][2][3][4]. An accelerator-driven sub-critical system (ADS) includes a proton accelerator, an external neutron source generator and a sub-critical system.…”

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confidence: 99%

China ADS sub-critical experimental assembly—Venus-1 and preliminary experiment

Shi

Beijing

et al. 2007

Front. Energy Power Eng. China

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China ADS sub-critical experimental assembly-Venus-1 and preliminary experiment © Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag 2007 presented the basic idea, called "energy amplifier". A subcritical nuclear system based on U-Th cycle and fed by a high intensity proton accelerator can be used for energy production and for the transmutation of MAs and LLFP. Later on, the technical feasibility and verification of the principle of energy amplification were investigated [1][2][3][4]. An accelerator-driven sub-critical system (ADS) includes a proton accelerator, an external neutron source generator and a sub-critical system. When an accelerated proton collides with a heavy metal target nucleus, such as lead nucleus, spallation reaction takes place and plenty of neutrons are produced. The subcritical system is driven by spallation neutrons. A fission chain reaction is sustained and the sub-critical system is kept at a certain power level. Besides the virtue of avoiding nuclear criticality safety problems, ADS has been recognized worldwide [2-4] as a potential highly relevant tool in view of transmuting very large amounts of radioactive wastes and, consequently, contributing to the solution to the problem of deep geological disposal.In 1995, a research group was established in China, focusing on the topic of "Accelerator Driven System" and its conceptual studies [5]. In 2000, a project of the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) in the energy domain started to investigate the physics of ADS and the related technologies. At the present, the design, construction and preliminary experiments of China's ADS sub-critical assembly (Venus-1) have been completed.The Venus-1 sub-critical assembly is different from the MASURCA facility (France) and the YALINA assemblies (Belarus). The MASURCA is a fast neutron sub-critical assembly and the YALINA is a thermal neutron sub-critical assembly. The Venus-1 sub-critical core is a coupled one of a fast neutron zone and a thermal neutron zone. The fast neutron zone is at the centre of the core and natural uranium fuel is used. The fast zone is surrounded by the thermal neutron zone which uses UO 2 fuel with 3% enriched U-235 fuel. The fast neutron zone produces a fast neutron spectrum and is used to study the MA transmutation. This zone is called driven zone. The thermal neutron zone is a fission zone, which is called active zone. An epithermal neutron zone between the Abstract China's accelerator-driven sub-critical system (ADS) sub-critical experimental assembly-Venus-1 and the preliminary experiment is presented. The core of Venus-1 is a coupled one of a fast neutron zone and a thermal neutron zone. The fast neutron zone is at the centre of the core and formed by natural uranium fuel. A fast neutron spectrum field can be produced in the fast neutron zone and used for the transmutation of minor actinides (MAs). The thermal neutron zone surrounds the fast neutron zone and is formed by low-enriched uranium fuel. It is a fission zone. An epithermal neutron zone between th...

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A high gain energy amplifier operated with fast neutrons

Cited by 109 publications

References 4 publications

Results from the commissioning of the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN

Results from the commissioning of the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN

Evaluation of accelerator-driven subcritical systems for transmutations of nuclear waste

China ADS sub-critical experimental assembly—Venus-1 and preliminary experiment

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