R&D activities based on fast reactor cycle technologies for transmutation of TRU and LLFP by JNC

Abstract

Research and development(R&D) activities on partitioning and transmutation of trans-uranium nuclides (TRU) and LLFP and future R&D program in JNC were summarized. Feasibility design studies have been conducting to investigate the characteristics of a fast reactor core with TRU and LLFP transmutation. It was reconfirmed that the fast reactor has a strong potential for transmuting TRU and LLFP, effectively. R&D for establishing partitioning process of TRU apart from the high-level radioactive wastes have been carried out. By several counter-current runs of the TRUEX process using highly active raffinates, a process flow sheet capable of selective partitioning of actinides and fission products was newly developed. JNC has settled a new R&D program concerning partitioning and transmutation of long-lived radioactive waste based on recommendation of check & review for OMEGA program performed by the Ad Hoc Committee under the Atomic Energy Commission of Japan (AEC). The R&D program is composed of the design studies and development of element technologies (fabrication, irradiation) in the “Feasibility Studies” on commercialized fast reactor system and the basic studies with experiments (nuclear data, reactor physics, fuel property, etc.) to establish database and analytical tools for the TRU- and LLFP- containing fuel and core design.