An innovative way of thinking nuclear waste management – Neutron physics of a reactor directly operating on SNF
An innovative way of thinking nuclear waste management – Neutron physics of a reactor directly operating on SNF
复制标题
核废料管理的创新思维方式——直接在 SNF 上运行的反应堆的中子物理
作者：
B. Merk;D. Litskevich;M. Bankhead;Richard J. Taylor
核废料问题的解决方案是广泛使用核反应堆作为主要的无碳、可持续和高度可靠的应用能源的关键挑战。分区和嬗变（P&T）有望改善废物管理的解决方案。目前的战略依赖于60年代为大规模生产钚而设计的系统。我们提出了一个创新的战略发展计划的基础上，发明和创新的发展的概念，在s曲线确定当前的边界条件，和可演变的目标。这导致能源生产的最终普遍愿景，其特点是最大限度地使用资源和产生废物，同时经济上负担得起，安全，可靠和可靠的操作。这一设想被转化为一项使命，即通过燃烧现有乏核燃料（SNF）而无需事先进行后处理，对未来核能系统进行颠覆性发展。这种高度创新的方法实现了可持续发展目标，并为P&T创造了新的选择。从中子学角度证明了插入SNF的裂变材料的充分增殖的可行性。该系统既不需要新的资源，也不产生额外的废物，因此它为未来的核系统提供了一个高度可持续的选择，满足P&T的要求作为副作用。此外，这种核系统还提高了对钚滥用的抵抗力，并大大减少了燃料循环。然而，新系统需要需求驱动重新思考分离过程才能有效。
A solution for the nuclear waste problem is the key challenge for an extensive use of nuclear reactors as a major carbon free, sustainable, and applied highly reliable energy source. Partitioning and Transmutation (P&T) promises a solution for improved waste management. Current strategies rely on systems designed in the 60’s for the massive production of plutonium. We propose an innovative strategic development plan based on invention and innovation described with the concept of developments in s-curves identifying the current boundary conditions, and the evolvable objectives. This leads to the ultimate, universal vision for energy production characterized by minimal use of resources and production of waste, while being economically affordable and safe, secure and reliable in operation. This vision is transformed into a mission for a disruptive development of the future nuclear energy system operated by burning of existing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) without prior reprocessing. This highly innovative approach fulfils the sustainability goals and creates new options for P&T. A proof on the feasibility from neutronic point of view is given demonstrating sufficient breeding of fissile material from the inserted SNF. The system does neither require new resources nor produce additional waste, thus it provides a highly sustainable option for a future nuclear system fulfilling the requests of P&T as side effect. In addition, this nuclear system provides enhanced resistance against misuse of Pu and a significantly reduced fuel cycle. However, the new system requires a demand driven rethinking of the separation process to be efficient.