Accelerator driven system for transmutation and energy production

Abstract

The significant quantities of highly radiotoxic long-lived nuclear waste necessitate the research of methods of their transmutation to short-lived ones. This can be achieved by interaction between nuclear waste and neutrons (n,xn)-reactions and radiative captive). The ADS (Accelerator Driven System) is the most promising tool for such transmutation. ADS consists of powerful high energy accelerator irradiating a target of heavy nuclei: uranium, thorium, lead and bismuth. Inside of the target is generated a high-energy neutron field. Several ADS constructions for waste transmutation and energy production are considered. The influence of the cooling system on the neutron flux and the energy production in ADS are investigated. The radiation and biological protection are also discussed.

Spallation target optimization for ADS by Monte Carlo codes

“…In addition, nuclear waste is a big problem for which no solution can be found [1]. ADS aims to transmute long-lived radioactive waste like Pu, and Np isotopes [2]. Thus, it can figure out this problem and contribute to the sustainability of nuclear energy [3].…”

Study on Bubble Dynamic Characteristics of Lead-Bismuth Alloy Under Natural Circulation

“…This can be achieved through the interaction between nuclear waste and neutron reactions and radiation capture. Accelerator driven subcritical system (ADS) is the most promising tool to realize this transmutation [1].The lead and bismuth alloy cooling ADS device with advanced design concept adopts bubble lifting pump instead of mechanical pump for circulation, that is, injecting inert gas into lead and bismuth alloy to improve the natural circulation capacity of lead and bismuth alloy [2].Therefore, it is necessary to study the two-phase flow characteristics of lead-bismuth alloy and inert gas for the safety of the system. Chen et al used moving particle semi-implicit (MPS)method and self-programmed FORTRAN language to conduct two-dimensional numerical simulation of the transient dynamic behavior of a single argon gas bubble in the whole process from static to full development in liquid lead-bismuth alloy, and obtained the relationship between bubble deformation characteristics and rising speed [3].…”