Objetivo
The High Temperature gas-cooled Reactor (HTR) can fulfil a very useful niche for Pu and Minor Actinide (MA) incineration, due to its unique and unsurpassed safety features, as well as to the attractive incentives offered by the nature of the coated particle (CP) fuel. Important issues concerning the use of Pu (and MA) in gas-cooled reactors are treated in previous and ongoing projects.
So, the objective of the project is to provide additional key elements for the utilisation and transmutation of Pu and MA in current and future (high-temperature) gas-cooled reactor designs, contributing to the reduction of Pu and MA stockpiles, and to the development of safe and sustainable reactors for CO2-free multi energy generation. Earlier projects show favourable characteristics of HTRs with respect to Pu burning. However, further steps are required to demonstrate the potential of HTRs (and GCFRs) as Pu/MA transmuters based on realistic/feasible designs of CP Pu/MA fuel. So, core physics of Pu/MA fuel cycles for HTRs will be investigated to optimise the CP fuel and reactor characteristics and to assure nuclear stability of a Pu/MA HTR core. It is envisaged to optimise actual Pu CP production and to explore feasibility for MA fuel.
New CP designs will be explored withstanding very high burn-ups and being well adapted for disposal after irradiation. It is also envisaged to irradiate existing Pu CPs in the Petten HFR. (V)HTR Pu/MA transmuters are envisaged to operate in a global system of various reactor systems and fuel cycle facilities. Fuel cycle studies are envisaged to study the symbiosis to LWR, GCFR and ADS, and to quantify waste streams and radiotoxic inventories. The technical, economic, environmental and socio-political impact shall be assessed as well. PUMA contributes to technological goals of the Gen IV International Forum. It contributes to develop and maintain competence in reactor technology, and to address European stakeholders on key issues for the future.
Ámbito científico
Palabras clave
Tema(s)
Data not availableConvocatoria de propuestas
EURATOM-2005-6-FIXEDDEADLINE
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria
Régimen de financiación
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinador
Postbus 25 PETTEN
Países Bajos