Accelerator-driven Subcritical Reactor Research Articles

Theory of neutron noise induced by source fluctuations in accelerator-driven subcritical reactors

Theory of neutron noise induced by source fluctuations in accelerator-driven subcritical reactors

Spallation-reaction cross-sections relevant for accelerator-driven systems

Experiments of spallation in inverse kinematics were performed at GSI. The isotopic distribution cross-sections of the residual nuclides of spallation were measured for each element. The fragment separator (FRS) was used to select and identify the reaction products, and the full (Z,N) map was measured. The velocity distributions of all products are determined with the high resolution of the spectrometer, which give further information on the reaction mechanism. These data are relevant for the design of accelerator-driven subcritical reactors. They are also of the highest importance to improve the understanding of the spallation mechanism.

Satellite surveillance of nuclear plant, assisting IAEA control

One of the great problems for world society today is what to do with the 100 000 tons of spent fuel — produced by 400 power reactors in over 30 nations — that contain 1000 tons of civilian plutonium and that will double in volume over the next 10 to 15 years. That future amount of civilian plutonium represents material for 400 000 nuclear bombs: simple ones, relatively easily made, ideal for terrorists, of the strength of 10–70% of the Hiroshima bomb. Because of this risk, spent fuel has to be safeguarded for 10 000 years. The most straightforward way to eliminate the need for safeguarding spent fuel would be to burn it. That could best be done with an accelerator-driven subcritical reactor, i.e. one that cannot function without the assistance of a 1–2.5 GeV proton accelerator supplying the lacking neutrons and which therefore makes for an extremely safe plant that cannot run amok (as Chernobyl did for example). 100 of such plant could burn all the plutonium produced by the 400 present-type reactors in the world and simultaneously produce profitable electric power. But such a scheme requires proof that the accelerators could not themselves be used for producing nuclear bomb material. That utterly important task for world society could be significantly supported by the new commercial high resolution observation satellites.

96/06045 On some operational limits of accelerator-driven subcritical nuclear reactors

96/06045 On some operational limits of accelerator-driven subcritical nuclear reactors

Subcritical fission reactor driven by the low power accelerator

Abstract The concept of using a booster for an accelerator-driven subcritical power reactor is discussed.

On some operational limits of accelerator-driven subcritical nuclear reactors / Über die Grenzen einiger Betriebsparameter von unterkritischen Anlagen mit Beschleunigerantrieb

Energetic considerations pertaining to accelerator-driven subcritical nuclear reactors for net energy production and transmutation of radioactive waste are discussed. Neutron multiplication effects on the performance of such reactors are analysed. The range of operational parameters of subcritical blankets is assessed, including the application of heavy-element targets, such as lead, thorium and uranium targets. If the enhanced nuclear cross-sections reported to be observed in relativistic heavy-ion interactions with heavy-element targets are confirmed, an enhanced secondary neutron production might possibly be also observed and prove favourable for the operation of accelerator-driven subcritical reactors.