R&D of Partitioning and Transmutation using Accelerator-Driven System and role of J-PARC

Japan Atomic Energy Agency Sector of Nuclear Science Research

Nuclear Science and Engineering Center Research Group for Nuclear Transmutation System

Kazufumi TSUJIMOTO

Accelerator Driven System (ADS)

2

Characteristics of ADS: •Chain reactions stop when the accelerator is turned off.

Rapid increase of nuclear reactions will not occur.

•High MA-bearing fuel can be used. MA from 10 LWRs can be transmuted.

•LBE is chemically stable.

Proton beam

MA-fueled LBE-cooled subcritical core

Power generation

To accelerator

To grid Spallation target (LBE)

Super-conducting LINAC

Fission energy

Spallation target

Proton

Long-lived nuclides (MA)

Short-lived or stable nuclides

Fast neutrons

Utilizing chain reactions in subcritical state Fission neutrons

Transmutation by ADS

Max.30MW

800MW

100MW

170MW

270MW MA: Minor Actinides LBE: Lead-Bismuth Eutectic

Double-strata Fuel Cycle Concept with ADS

3

Spent fuel Reprocessing Partitioning

process

U [752t/y] Pu [8t/y]

Fission Products (FP) [39t/y] Minor Actinides (MA) [1t/y]

Rem

aini

ng

ele

men

ts

Sr-

Cs

PG

M

Min

or a

ctin

ides

(MA)

Fuel fabrication process

Accelerator Driven System

(ADS) Recovered actinides

Final disposal Fission products

Optimization by utilization / Disposal after cooling

Spent fuel

Dedicated transmutation fuel

Reprocessing

Scope of P&T

[800t/y]

[8t/y] [1t/y]

[7t/y]

[1t/y]

[4t/y] [5t/y] [30t/y]

[8t/y] PGM: Platinum Group Metal

Conceptual Design of ADS by JAEA

• Proton beam : 1.5GeV ~30MW • Spallation target : Pb-Bi • Coolant : Pb-Bi • Subcriticality : keff = 0.97 • Thermal output : 800MWt • MA initial inventory : 2.5t • Fuel composition : (MA+Pu)Nitride + ZrN Initial loading Zone-1 : Pu/HM = 30.0% Zone-2 : Pu/HM = 48.5% • Transmutation rate : 10%MA / Year (10 units of LWR) • 600EPFD, 1 batch

Conceptual view of 800MWth LBE-cooled ADS

• Material • Spallation target • LBE handling

Accelerator

• Core design • Reactor physic

MA Fuel

5

Superconducting Accelerator for ADS

Mockup of cryomodule (2 superconducting cavities) was fabricated and tested. The design study provided that the SC-LINAC consisting of 89 cryomodules and the length was estimated as 472m.

The LINAC (400MeV, 25Hz) in J-PARC has been operated stably for injection to the following 3 GeV synchrotron.

Cryomodule

Proton Linac (400MeV) in J-PARC

6

Desing Study : Spallation Target and Beam Window Design condition Proton beam：1.5 GeV-20

mA（30 MW） LBE velocity : < 2m/s Maximum beam window

temperature : < 500ºC

Beam window design in which the maximum temperature at the outer surface of the window is about 490 ºC

R&D issues : Material corrosion in LBE, thermal-hydraulic of LBE, material irradiation effect

7 7

Thermal Hydraulics Study of LBE

Oxygen Sensor Calibration Device – To prevent corrosion by flowing LBE, oxygen potential in

LBE should be controlled in appropriate potential range. – Development of oxygen potential sensor and loop tests for

oxygen potential control mechanism are underway.

OLLOCHI (Oxygen-controlled Lbe LOop for Corrosion tests in HIgh temperature) – Material corrosion database for various temperature, oxygen

potential, LBE flow rate will be collected – The loop will be operated from next April

IMMORTAL (Integrated Multi-functional MOckup for TEF-T Real-scale TArget Loop) – Purpose of experiments is demonstration of safe operation of

LBE loop by reflecting operation condition of J-PARC LBE Spallation target.

Reactor physics experiments

8

Collaboration study with Kyoto University Reactor physics experiment using KUCA and FFAG accelerator is planned to perform next year.

Core image to simulate ADS in KUCA

KUCA A-core

100 MeV protonbeamline

FFAG accelerator

F F F F F

F F F F F

F F ' F ' F ' F

F F ' F ' F ' F

F F ' F ' F

F F F F

F F F F

F F F F

F F F F

F F F F

16 16

Proton beams

C2S6

C1 S4

S5 C3

Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA) and Fixed-Field Alternating Gradient (FFAG) accelerator

R&D for MA nitride fuel for ADS

9

Irradiation performance • Irradiation test of (Pu,Zr)N and PuN+TiN in JMTR/JAEA

• Irradiation test of MA(Am,Np) in PHENIX by international collaboration

（Am,Zr)N （Pu,Zr)N

Pyrochemical process Development of pyrochemical process flow appropriated for spent nitride fuel (TRU: Pu, Np, Am)

Liquid Cd cathode after electrolyzation

Recovered nitride powder

(U,Pu)N pellet

(Pu0.21Am0.21Zr0.58)N

Fabrication of MA nitride fuel Fabrication test of (MA,Pu,Zr)N with high density and high purity in lab-scale

Physics properties of MA nitride fuel Development of database for thermal propoerties of MA nitride fuel available for ADS design

Thermal conductivity of MA nitride （873K）

Fabrication

Irradiation Reprocess

Fuel cycle of MA transmutation system

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.00

20

40

60

80

(Zr0.80

Pu0.10

Am0.10

)N

(Zr0.58

Pu0.21

Am0.21

)N

フィッティング式によるカーブ

熱伝

導率

(W

m-1K

-1)

ZrN含有率（モル分率）

(Pu0.50

Am0.50

)N

ZrN

J-PARC: Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex

10

Hadron Experimental Facility

50 GeV Synchrotron Materials and Life Science Experimental

Facility

3 GeV Synchrotron

LINAC

To neutrino detector

Jan. 28, 2008

Candidate Site for Transmutation

Experimental Facility

Image of Transmutation Experimental Facility (TEF)

11

ADS Target Test Facility：TEF-T

Critical Assembly

Pb-Bi Target

Transmutation Physics Experimental Facility: TEF-P

Purpose: To investigate physics properties of subcritical reactor with low power, and to accumulate operation experiences of ADS.

Licensing: Nuclear reactor: (Critical assembly) Proton beam: 400MeV-10W Thermal power: <500W

Purpose: To research and develop a spallation target and related materials with high-power proton beam.

Licensing: Particle accelerator Proton beam: 400MeV-250kW Target: Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE, Pb-Bi)

Proton Beam

Multi-purpose Irradiation Area

ADS Target Test Facility (TEF-T)

12

Candidate concept for LBE target in TEF-T

Test device for flow visualization by PIV method (Full-scale transparent acrylic model of target vessel

ターゲット実効寸法 : 15cmφ X 60 cmL

照射試験片

試験片ホルダ（遠隔操作による複数年照射を考慮）

Experiments for irradiation damage of material by protons and neutrons Material irradiation test for material for beam window of ADS, structure material

for FBR, and material for fusion reactor Development of database for engineering feasibility of ADS by experiments in

various condition (ex. temperature and velocity of flowing LBE)

Transmutation Physics Experimental Facility (TEF-P)

13

TEF-P is designed to take over the experiences and functions of FCA to minimize the cost and risk for newly developed equipment.

Low power critical facility for reactor physics and nuclear data of transmutation systems including ADS and FBR.

By replacing central partial matrix tubes with pin-type assembly, MA fuel can be used with cooling and remote handling.

Mock-up equipment for fuel loading for TEF-P

Coolant simulator (Pb, Na)、

Plate fuel

Fuel drawer

MA pin fuel

SUS lattice

5.5cm

5.5cm

5.5cm

Coolant simulator (Pb, Na, etc.)Stainless steel matrix

Plate-type fuel

Fuel drawer

Pin-type fuel

5.5cm

Proton beam

Beam duct

Spallation target

Experiments in “critical mode”

ADS experiments in “subctitical with proton beam”

14

Conclusion

JAEA has been promoted R&D activities on P&T technology Accelerator-Driven System (ADS) is a candidate as a

dedicated MA transmutation system.

Current situation and future plan for R&D of ADS The technical challenges for ADS spread over wide range

and various basic R&D have been implemented in JAEA. New experimental facility, TEF, is proposed in the J-PARC

project in JAEA for the engineering feasibility of ADS. International collaboration is important in R&D of ADS.