euratom fastneutron reactorfuel cycle research · 2009. 12. 18. · 1 fr09 international...
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
D. Haas1, D. Bottomley2, J.-P. Glatz2, R. Konings2, V. Rondinella2, J. Somers2
European CommissionJoint Research Centre
EURATOM Fast Neutron Reactor Fuel Cycle Research
1 Corporate Services - Brussels2 Institute for Transuranium Elements - Karlsruhe
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Outline
1. Fast reactor R&D in Europe2. Fast reactor fuel cycle R&D: role of EURATOM
3. JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments4. JRC role in the fuel cycle: molten salt fuel properties
5. JRC role in the fuel cycle: advanced fuel reprocessing6. Conclusion
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
1. Design, construction and operation of a prototype sodium fast reactor (SFR) coupled to the grid
2. Design, construction and operation of a demonstrator (not coupled to the grid) of alternative technology,either gas or lead cooled fast reactor (GFR or LFR)
3. Supporting infrastructures for prototype and demonstrator
4. Cross-cutting R&D programmeBasic and applied research to support the activities foreseen in the actions aboveR&D activities: - design and safety,
- back-end of the cycle,- component ageing and lifetime management,- materials science and multi-scale modelling of material behaviour (structural materials, fuels, cladding),- code development and qualification,- severe accident experiments and modelling, etc.
Fast reactor R&D in Europe:The European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII)
1– 2 b€ budget(10 years)
National programmesEURATOM programmeNeed for International R&D Cooperation
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
EURATOM Indirect Actions on Fast Reactors Development
FR innovative fuels research10.22008-2012F-BRIDGE
FR advanced structural materials 14.02008-2013GETMAT
FR fuel reprocessing 23.82008-2012ACSEPTLFR design and safety 6.52006-2009ELSYGFR design and safety 3.62006-2009GCFRSFR design and safety11.52009-2012ESFR
TopicsTotal budget M€
PeriodProject
Total of running projects: 70 M€ over 3-4 years (with 50% community funding)New proposals processed on Lead (LEAD) and Gas Fast Reactors (GOFAST)
Role of EURATOM in support of R&D
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The JRC: providing robust science for policy makers7 Institutes in 5 Member States
IE - Petten The Netherlands-Institute for Energy
IRMM - Geel Belgium- Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements
ITU - Karlsruhe Germany - Institute for Transuranium Elements
IPSC - IHCP - IES - Ispra Italy- Institute for Environment and Sustainability- Institute for Health and Consumer Protection - Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen
IPTS - Seville Spain- Institute for Prospective Technological Studies
Role of EURATOM in support of R&D
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
JRC Contribution to Fast Reactors Development
Reprocessing: Aqueous & Pyro Carbide Pu fuel irradiated in Phenix FR
• Involved in research on 4 fast systems (SFR, GFR, LFR, MSFR) with priority to fuel research• Particular fuel research topics are:
- Fuel fabrication- Physical and chemical properties- Irradiation experiments and PIE- Advanced fuel reprocessing experiments
• Most experiments are performed within European projects or international collaborations
Role of EURATOM in support of R&D
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Advanced fast Reactor Fuels: challenges� FR fuel composition (typical): 25% Pu, 3% MA in the homogeneous recycling
mode; >20% MA in the heterogeneous mode � Reference in Europe: MOX
- Advantages: experience, stability, fabrication, reprocessing…- Drawback: thermal properties (low conductibility)
� Other fuels: metals, carbides, nitrides � Challenge: licensing of MA- bearing fuels (chemical stability, He production…)� High burnup: advanced cladding materials (e.g. Ferritic: high Cr- low C steels)� Advanced reprocessing and minor actinides separation
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
40-60µm
80-100µm
microdispersion
macrodispersion
sieving
MgO PowderGranulation
Mixing
MgO PowderGranulation
Mixing
Pressing
Sintering
Actinide SolutionSolution Infiltration
Zr,Y Nitrate Solution
Droplet to ParticleConversion
Microspheres
ThermalTreatment
Blending
Pressing
Sintering
Actinide SolutionSolution Infiltration
Zr,Y Nitrate Solution
Droplet to ParticleConversion
Microspheres
ThermalTreatment
Blending
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Minor Actinide Fuel Fabrication LaboratoryMinor Actinide Fuel Fabrication Laboratory
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
U0.805Pu0.175Am0.02N nitride fuel pellets
250 µm
CERMET Am, Pu oxide in Mo matrix
Advanced fuel fabrications (ITU)
MA Lab press
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
UO2 microspheres: First tests before infiltration
ZrYCe)O2-x30% Ce Infiltration
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
FP7 SPHERE Irradiation programme in HFR:(U,Pu)O2 Pellets vs Spherepac
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
TIG: Tungsten Inert Gas
Minor Actinide Laboratory: fuel pin fabrication facility
R & D on Electromagnetic Pulse TechnologyT91 plug-clad joining
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Knudsen-cell effusion set-up with mass spectrometer
4
2
3
5
5
6
89
7
10
14
14
12To PRIMARYVACUUM13
11
MS, RANGE 1-500 AMU
TEMP.
Gamma, BataCounts
β
β
γ
γ
1
1
10
0.1-0.8mm
Al2O3
TC Gas inlet
SAMPLE
0.1-0.8mm
W
SAMPLE
15
steps
Ramp10-50K/min
To Q-GAMES(Quantitative GasMeasurementsystem)
TIME
Various types of cells are usedin high vacuum or under controlled, chemically reacting atmosphere up to 3100 K..
Measurement of effusion and release from irradiated fuel with temperature programs up to complete vaporization of the sample
Type of measurements: • Equilibrium vapour pressure over the fuel• Release behaviour and analysis of He, fg.
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 28001E-14
1E-13
1E-12
1E-11
1E-10
1E-9
M.S.
signa
l (A)
Temperature (K)
N2PuPuO
ZrO Zr
PuN
Effusion behaviour of (Zr, Pu)NKnudsen cell
Nitrogen release starts at 1500 K. Pu release complete above ~2350 K.Zr vaporizes at the highest temperatures.
.
-10 K/min- vacuum condition
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
MoMo--CERMET pellets: Thermal Conductivity (Laser Flash method) CERMET pellets: Thermal Conductivity (Laser Flash method)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500Temperature (K)
Therm
al Co
nduc
tivity
(W/m
/K)
Thermal conductivity FUTURIX 6 (06MP028 pellet 48)Thermal conductivity FUTURIX 5 (06MP025 pellet 47)Conductivite FUTURIX 5 (06MP025 pastille 47) (W/m/K),
CERMET with39 vol % of actinide beads(10%Am, 10%Pu)
CERMET with14 vol % of actinide beads(3%Am, 12% Pu)
UO2conductivity
From: Konings & al ICENES 2007
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Nimphe 2 and Superfact experiment in Phenix examined at JRC/ITU
In collaboration with CEA
UPuC fuel pin (U0.74Pu0.24Am00.2)O2 fuel
Excellent fuel behaviour, similar to MOX fuel.Low fission gas release, grain size increaseHigh porosity in the central zone
JRC role in the fuel cycle: solid fuels developments
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
JRC role in the fuel cycle: molten salt fuel properties
1 Graphite moderated2 Non-moderated3 An represents the actinides Pu, Am and Cm
NaF-LiF-KF-AnF3 3, NaF-LiF-RbF-AnF33NaF-LiF-BeF2-AnF31
FastMSR-Burner
LiF-CaF2-U,ThF4LiF-U,ThF4Fast2
7LiF-BeF2-U,ThF4Thermal1MSR-Breeder
AlternativesReference fuelNeutron spectrum
Reactor type
Fuel salt composition for various MSR concepts
Calculated liquid surface of the system PuF3-LiF-KF
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
CMPO USA DIDPA JapanTRPO ChinaDIAMEX FranceTODGA JapanDTPA ChinaTPTZ FranceClΦ DTPA FZJBTP FZKBTBP UK
JRC role in the fuel cycle: advanced fuel reprocessing
Hot Cell Laboratory for thecharacterisation of spent nuclear fuel by aqueous methoddissolved fuel
spent fuel
centrifugal extractor battery for continuous counter-current extraction
PUREXHLLW
Ln/MAseparationFP
Ln / MA
U / Pu(Np)
transmutation
MA separationfrom LnLn
MA
Cm and Am recoveries ~ 99.9 %Cm and Am recoveries ~ 99.9 %
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Process scheme for electro-refining of metallic fuel
JRC role in the fuel cycle: advanced fuel reprocessing
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Am/Nd separation by electrodeposition on Al cathode
SEM / EDX measurement of solid Al cathode SEM / EDX measurement of solid Al cathode
NdAm
0,80,8
0,60,6
0,40,4
0,20,2
00 1 2 3 4
Conc
entra
tion [
wt%]
Conc
entra
tion [
wt%]
AmAlAmAlxx=2,3 or 4=2,3 or 4
Am depositon Al cathode
Am and Am and NdNd concentration in concentration in LiCl/KClLiCl/KCl1: before 1st electrolysis2: after 1st electrolysis 3: before 2nd electrolysis4: after 2nd electrolysis
Efficient separation of Efficient separation of MA from Ln by MA from Ln by electrolysis !!!electrolysis !!!
JRC role in the fuel cycle: advanced fuel reprocessing
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Pyro-reprocessing cell
Introduction of material Introduction of material through an through an ArAr flushed flushed
LaCalhLaCalhèènene door (2005)door (2005)
Installation of Caisson Installation of Caisson (2003)(2003)
JRC role in the fuel cycle: advanced fuel reprocessing
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Conclusion
• Long-term resources availability and reduction of waste hazards favour the development offast reactors• The European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative aiming at the developement of the fast neutronreactors has been launched within the Strategic Energy Technology Plan• Fast reactor systems considered: sodium, helium, lead or molten salt• The R&D is being pursued in agreement with the GIF targets, through indirect actions partly financed byEURATOM/RTD and direct actions of the JRC • JRC (ITU-Karlsruhe) is mainly involved in fuel cycle studies (fuel fabrication and properties, partitioning)• Other JRC activities are related to design and safety, structural materials, PRPP, basic science
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FR09 International Conference, Kyoto, December 2009
Conclusions
• Overall efforts for the successfull development of new fast reactor fuels will remain enormous• The main financial contribution comes from the national organisations. EURATOM fundingrepresents about 20%• JRC contributes through its large experience and high quality equipment in specific fields• Any future development will require international collaborations. EURATOM has put inplace the possible framework for it, both at an European level (SNETP and joint projects),and internationally (JRC is the implementing agent for the EURATOM participation in GIF)