Abstract
The characteristics of a closed equilibrium cycle for a BREST fast reactor are calculated (using the BREST-OD-300 model) for the americium transmutation regime with a 5% h.a. load. For the same average multiplication ratio as in the standard equilibrium cycle, the reactivity would vary by 1% over a 1-yr microrun, which requires partial reloadings approximately every month. The spectral part of the void coefficient of reactivity is 20% higher than for the standard cycle. Sixty-one kilograms of americium are transmuted in 1 yr of reactor operation. For high 238 Pu content in the fuel, the americium transmutes predominantly into fission products. Americium in the spent fuel from eight VVÉR-1000 reactors can be transmuted in a similar regime in a BREST-1200 reactor (with spent-fuel storage time 30 yr and a high americium content due to 241 Pu decay).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
I. Kh. Ganev A. V. Lopatkin V. V. Orlov (2000) ArticleTitleHomogeneous transmutation of Am, Cm, and Np in a fast BREST reactor At. Énerg. 89 IssueID5 355–361
A. Yu. Kvaratskheli, A. P. Knyazev, V. N. Konev, and B. P. Kochurov, “Models for calculating fuel assemblies in a lead-cooled fast reactor: holder, effective cell, homogeneous cell, homogeneous cell with effective grids,” Preprint ITÉF 22-02 (2002).
A. Yu. Kvaratskheli, A. P. Knyazev, V. N. Konev, and B. P. Kochurov, “Fuel cycles for a lead-cooled fast reactor in the effective-cell model,” Preprint ITÉF 23-02 (2002).
B. P. Kochurov A. Y. Kwaratskheli A. P. Knyazev (1998) New methods and computer codes developments for neutron reactor physics calculations Proceedings of International Conference on the Physics of Nuclear Science and Technology ANS Long Island, N.Y. 857–864
A. P. Knyazev, “ASMC-program for automated calculation of a system of multigroup constants based on ENDF/B files,” Preprint ITÉF 21-02 (2002).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 97, No. 3, pp. 163–167, September, 2004.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kvaratskheli, A.Y., Knyazev, A.P., Konev, V.N. et al. Fuel cycle of a brest fast reactor in an americium transmutation regime. At Energy 97, 593–597 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-005-0036-6
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-005-0036-6