Transmutation of nuclear waste in accelerator-driven systems: Fast spectrum

The elimination of nuclear waste is currently a pressing issue in view of the global energy crisis and increasing radiotoxic waste inventories. One potential and well-researched solution to these issues is to transmute nuclear waste in a thorium-based accelerator-driven system, such as the energy amplifier. To develop this technology a prototype capable of transmuting significant quantities of radioactive waste is needed. The proposed energy amplifier demonstration facility (EADF), a lead–bismuth cooled 80 MWth device, is designed to couple all the elements of an accelerator-driven system (ADS), producing large fast-neutron fluxes capable of transmuting kilograms of individual isotopes. This paper presents an investigation of the neutronic characterisation, safety parameters, dynamic behaviour and transmutation potential of such a device when using the plutonium–uranium fuel proposed. These results are compared with those when using thorium–plutonium fuel, demonstrating the advantages of the latter in terms of waste transmutation.