Accelerator Driven Subcritical Systems

Abstract

The generation of nuclear energy produces besides energy also high level nuclear waste, which is nowadays for geological storage. Transmutation of the minor actinides and long-lived fission products which arise from the reprocessing of the spent nuclear fuel can reduce the radiological impact of these radioactive elements. Transmutation can be performed in an efficient way in fast neutron spectrum facilities. An accelerator driven sub-critical system operates in a flexible and safer manner than a critical core even with a core loaded with a high amount of minor actinides leading to a more efficient MA transmutation.