Enhancing TRU burning and Am transmutation in Advanced Recycling Reactor

This paper presents about conceptual designs of Advanced Recycling Reactor (ARR) focusing on enhancement in transuranics (TRU) burning and americium (Am) transmutation. The design has been conducted in the context of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) seeking to close nuclear fuel cycle in ways that reduce proliferation risks, reduce the nuclear waste in the US and further improve global energy security. This study strives to enhance the TRU burning and the Am transmutation, assuming the development of related technologies in this study, while the ARR based on mature technologies was designed in the previous study. It has followed that the provided TRU burning core is designed to burn TRU at 28 kg/TWthh, by adding moderator pins of B4C (Enriched B-11) and the Am transmutation core will be able to transmute Am at 34 kg/TWthh, by locating Am blanket of AmN around the TRU burning core. It indicates that these concepts improve TRU burning by 40–50% than the previous core and can transmute Am effectively, keeping the void reactivity acceptable.

Research highlights
► This ARR is an oxide fueled sodium cooled reactor based on innovative technologies to destruct TRU.
► TRU burning core is designed to burn TRU at 28 kg/TWthh, adding moderator pins of B4C (Enriched B-11).
► Am transmutation core can transmute Am at 34 kg/TWthh, adding uranium free AmN blanket to TRU burning core.
► The TRU burning core improves TRU burning by 40–50% than the previous core.
► The Am transmutation core can transmute Am effectively, keeping the void reactivity acceptable.