Drawing up a new future for nuclear research
The EU relies on nuclear fission energy for 35 % of its electricity. Reprocessing the used fuel followed by geological disposal is a critical component of management of long-lived fission products. However, precision over the timescale required for disposal exceeds current technological knowledge, which poses problems for public acceptance. Partitioning and transmutation — i.e. conversion — can relax the constraints on geological disposal and reduce its monitoring period to technological and manageable timescales. The principle aim of the EU-funded 'Central design team (CDT) for a fast-spectrum transmutation experimental facility' (CDT)was to concentrate on the design of Myrrha, a cornerstone of the European sustainable nuclear industrial initiative (ESNII). CDT partners set out to design a fast-spectrum transmutation facility (FASTEF) able to demonstrate efficient transmutation and associated technology. Based on the accelerator-driven system facility developed in the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) EUROTRANS project, CDT was established to design a first-step Myrrha experimental device. Initially, the CDT team defined the specifications and a detailed work programme for the FASTEF. Once the facility had been designed and careful revision of the available information completed, a 'balance of plant' study was conducted concerning the auxiliary plant equipment. Finally, any key issues that could hinder future realisation of the FASTEF were addressed. Now completed, the CDT project delivered a revised design of Myrrha, including the nuclear reactor core, the primary system or reactor cooling system, and the balance of plant. This design means the preparation for the basic engineering work for Myrrha can now begin. Myrrha is a key feature in the EU's roadmap for developing sustainable nuclear energy towards decarbonisation of the European energy mix by 2050.
