Transmutation of long-lived radioactive waste based on double-strata concept

A considerable attention is directed toward the reduction in the long-term potential hazard by partitioning and transmutation (P-T): separating long-lived nuclides from the waste stream and converting them into either shorter-lived or non-radioactive ones. The effects of higher Pu and minor actinide (MA) compositions on the transmutation rates have been studied for a typical mixed oxide (MOX)-fuel fast breeder reactor (FBR) core with 2600 MWt. The calculations showed that the transmutation rate for (Pu, MA) compositions from MOX -LWR becomes one half than that from UO2-light water reactor (LWR). Furthermore, MA accumulation and transmutation based on Double-Strata Scenario have been investigated for introducing the accelerator driven transmutation system (ADS) with 800 MWt. It was shown that in the scenario of nuclear plant capacities for maximum 140 GWe, which consists of LWRs and FBRs, the introduction of ADS can play a significant role as "Transmuter" in the back-end of fuel cycle. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.