Utilisation and Reliability of High Power Proton Accelerators
Workshop Proceedings, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, 16-19 May 2004
Accelerator-driven systems (ADS) are being considered for their potential use in the transmutation of radioactive waste. The performance of such hybrid nuclear systems depends to a large extent on the specification and reliability of high power accelerators, as well as the integration of the accelerator with spallation targets and sub-critical systems. At present, much R&D work is still required in order to demonstrate the desired capability of the system as a whole.
Accelerator scientists and reactor physicists from around the world gathered at an NEA workshop to discuss issues of common interest and to present the most recent achievements in their research. Discussions focused on accelerator reliability; target, window and coolant technology; sub-critical system design and ADS simulations; safety and control of ADS; and ADS experiments and test facilities. These proceedings contain the technical papers presented at the workshop as well as summaries of the working group discussions held. They will be of particular interest to scientists working on ADS development as well as on radioactive waste management issues in general.
Comparative Transient Analyses of Accelerator-Driven Systems with Mixed Oxide and Advanced Fertile-Free Fuels
Agence pour l'Energie Nucléaire
Comparative safety analyses and investigations were performed for a small-scale ADS with conventional MOX fuel and an 800 MWth power class ADT with advanced fertile-free fuels, both cooled by Pb/Bi. The analyses covered perturbations of the source [e.g. unprotected transient overcurrent (UTOC) and beam interruptions] as well as perturbations on the core side, protected/unprotected transient overpower (P/UTOP) induced by reactivity additions and unprotected loss of flow (ULOF) accidents. These showed that the small-scale ADS had a very good safety performance, while for the 800 MWth ADT with ZrO2 and MgO matrix based fuels some safety problems were identified, mainly related to the large positive void feedback and high linear power rate. Further design and safety optimisations are under consideration.