Abstract
In the frame of the FP7 European project MAXSIMA, an extensive simulation study has been done to assess the main shielding problems in view of the construction of the MYRRHA accelerator-driven system at SCK·CEN in Mol (Belgium). An innovative method based on the combined use of the two state-of-the-art Monte Carlo codes MCNPX and FLUKA has been used, with the goal to characterize complex, realistic neutron fields around the core barrel, to be used as source terms in detailed analyses of the radiation fields due to the system in operation, and of the coupled residual radiation. The main results of the shielding analysis are presented, as well as the construction of an activation database of all the key structural materials. The results evidenced a powerful way to analyse the shielding and activation problems, with direct and clear implications on the design solutions.
Highlights
Accelerator-driven systems (ADS) are one of the options studied for the transmutation of nuclear waste in the international community
The neutrons needed to sustain fission in the sub-critical mode are produced via spallation processes by a 600 MeV, ≤ 4 mA proton beam, which is provided by a linear accelerator and hits, along a vertical beamline, a leadbismuth eutectic (LBE) spallation target located inside the reactor core
Due to the backscattered neutron radiation on the spallation target, the operation in sub-critical mode drives the shielding in all the vertical structures, and requires more innovative solutions
Summary
Accelerator-driven systems (ADS) are one of the options studied for the transmutation of nuclear waste in the international community. The heart of the system is a leadbismuth eutectic (LBE) cooled reactor, working both in critical and in sub-critical operation modes. The neutrons needed to sustain fission in the sub-critical mode are produced via spallation processes by a 600 MeV, ≤ 4 mA proton beam, which is provided by a linear accelerator and hits, along a vertical beamline, a LBE spallation target located inside the reactor core. The combination with a nuclear reactor core makes the shielding problem an issue, being the protection from the prompt radiation and the spent beam handling the main points. Due to the backscattered neutron radiation on the spallation target, the operation in sub-critical mode drives the shielding in all the vertical structures, and requires more innovative solutions.
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