An innovative way of thinking nuclear waste management – Neutron physics of a reactor directly operating on SNF

Abstract

A solution for the nuclear waste problem is the key challenge for an extensive use of nuclear reactors as a major carbon free, sustainable, and applied highly reliable energy source. Partitioning and Transmutation (P&T) promises a solution for improved waste management. Current strategies rely on systems designed in the 60’s for the massive production of plutonium. We propose an innovative strategic development plan based on invention and innovation described with the concept of developments in s-curves identifying the current boundary conditions, and the evolvable objectives. This leads to the ultimate, universal vision for energy production characterized by minimal use of resources and production of waste, while being economically affordable and safe, secure and reliable in operation. This vision is transformed into a mission for a disruptive development of the future nuclear energy system operated by burning of existing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) without prior reprocessing. This highly innovative approach fulfils the sustainability goals and creates new options for P&T. A proof on the feasibility from neutronic point of view is given demonstrating sufficient breeding of fissile material from the inserted SNF. The system does neither require new resources nor produce additional waste, thus it provides a highly sustainable option for a future nuclear system fulfilling the requests of P&T as side effect. In addition, this nuclear system provides enhanced resistance against misuse of Pu and a significantly reduced fuel cycle. However, the new system requires a demand driven rethinking of the separation process to be efficient.

A disruptive approach to eliminating weapon-grade plutonium – Pu burning in a molten salt fast reactor

“…Here, the first core configuration is just critical (no excess reactivity) and the burnt fissile material is continuously replaced by fissile material which is provided by the online feeding system. A comparable process is proposed for the salt clean-up, a small share of the salt is continuously separated from the core which is foreseen to be chemically cleaned from the fission products which prevent the reactor from long term operation [10, 38, 39]. This proposed highly innovative approach avoids any separation of fissile material and thus leads to a significant reduction of the proliferation and security concerns.…”

“…The final molten salt loading would have to be seen as high level nuclear waste, or it would have to be reused for the operation of a next generation reactor [10]…”

“…Recently, molten salt reactors have been proposed for highly efficient transmutation and for the burning of civil plutonium [8, 9, 10, 11]. Could this systems be used for the disposition of weapon grade plutonium, too?…”

On a Long Term Strategy for the Success of Nuclear Power

“…However, we should not forget that the salt clean-up is a system which faces challenges close to the classical reprocessing. This process is a challenge itself, which should be re-thought in the same strictly demand driven way as part of a whole nuclear system analysis [33].…”

“…However, we should not forget that the salt clean-up is a system which faces challenges close to the classical reprocessing. This process is a challenge itself, which should be re-thought in the same strictly demand driven way as part of a whole nuclear system analysis [33]. A comparison to classical closed fuel cycle for fast reactors (as proposed for closing the fuel cycle using classical Gen IV systems), which would be required to achieve a comparable fuel/uranium usage, is shown in Figure 8.…”