OV-01
ADS Projects in the World and Perspective for Implementation of MYRRHA/XT–
ADS in Europe
H. Aït Abderrahim
SCK•CEN, Boeretang, Mol, Belgium
Corresponding Author: haitabde@sckcen.be or myrrha@sckcen.be
Transmutation of minor actinides (MA) can be completed in an efficient way in fast neutron
spectrum facilities. Both critical reactors and sub-critical Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS)
are potential candidates as dedicated transmutation systems. However, critical reactors, heavily
loaded with fuel containing large amounts of MA, pose reactivity control problems, hence safety
problems, caused by unfavorable reactivity coefficients and small delayed neutron fraction. A subcritical
ADS operates in a flexible and safe manner even with a core loading containing a high
amount of MA leading to a high transmutation rate. Thus, the sub-criticality is not a virtue
but rather a necessity for an efficient and economical burning of the MA. Besides these reactor
and core physics considerations, there are other parameters to consider for deciding on the most
appropriate technology suitable for the large scale deployment of partitioning and transmutation
(P&T) technology for the reduction of the HLW burden.
The implementation of P&T needs the demonstration of the feasibility of several installations at
an “engineering” level. The respective research and development activities could be arranged in
four so called “building blocks” aiming to:
- demonstrate the capability to process a “sizable” amount of spent fuel from commercial
power plants (i.e., LWR) in order to separate Pu and MA,
- demonstrate the capability to fabricate at semi-industrial level the dedicated fuel needed to
load a dedicated transmuter,
- make available one or more dedicated transmuters,
- provide an installation for processing of the fuel unloaded from the transmuter which can be
of a different type of the one used to process initially the original spent fuel unloaded from the commercial power plants (i.e., LWR).
Since a “once-through” reprocessing is not sufficient, whatever type of transmuter is considered,
the fuel unloaded from the transmuter should be processed and new fuel fabricated and sent back
to the transmuter in order to complete the transmutation process.
Two main kinds of transmuters can be considered for the second “stratum”: critical fast reactors
and accelerator driven systems whereas in case of once through or phase-out ADS would be the
advisable route.
In this paper we will review the ongoing experimental ADS projects in the world and the rational
behind and we will report on the perspective of implementation in Europe of MYRRHA/XT–ADS
that will be covered more in detail in the satellite meeting IV of this conference.
