Shortening transmutation time by using the molten salt reactor

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis paper investigates the duration of the Partitioning and Transmutation process for different efficiencies in the total mass reduction of high-level waste by describing the mass flow during the process. Besides the transmutation and partitioning efficiency per fuel cycle, the impact of the deployed thermal power and the refreshing time, which is the sum of cooling, reprocessing, and fabrication time, was analyzed. It was discovered that besides the transmutation efficiency the refreshing time has a significant impact on the duration. The molten salt reactor concept is proposed in order to realize this potential for shortening the time consuming P&T process.

Molecular Dynamics and Experimental Study of the Effect of CeF3 and NdF3 Additives on the Physical Properties of FLiNaK

“…The concept of a molten salt reactor (MSR) got its start in the 1960s, but the industrial technology has not been realized yet. Currently, the problem of radioactive waste management is acute, and one of the promising solutions is the use of MSR as a breeder for the transmutation of minor actinides. − Recently, MSRs have been developed, in which chloride and fluoride salts are used not only as coolants but also as liquid fuels . In this case, the molten salt used as fuel contains thorium and uranium.…”