The main problems of transmutation of actinides and long-lived fission products from NPP spent fuel

Abstract

The paper formulates the main problems associated with research on transmutation, which should be paid attention to by today’s young researchers. The processes of production of hazardous nuclides during transmutation in reactor facilities are considered. The goals of transmutation and the choice of nuclides to be transmuted are discussed. The concept of radiotoxicity is explained as a measure of the radiological hazard of radioactive nuclides, based on the maximum permissible concentration of nuclides according to the IAEA standards. The problem of the formation of secondary radioactive nuclides in nuclear fuel during generation of neutrons for transmutation is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods of transmutation in nuclear installations are considered: inclusion of transmutable nuclides in nuclear fuel in fast reactors, transmutation in specialized thermal and fast transmutation reactor installations and ADS systems. The problem of accumulation of highly radioactive actinides in a transmutation facility during long-term transmutation and the problem of a potential hazard of the transmutation facility itself are discussed. The unacceptability of application of common-type power reactors for the transmutation of long-lived fission products is demonstrated.