International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe 2003 Computational Optimization of Efficiency and Safety of Cascade Scheme of the Subcritical Molten Salt Reactor

ABSTRACT To minimize the amounts of long-lived dangerous radioactive wastes a nuclear energy system is proposed with 3-component structure and nuclear fuel cycle closed by heavy metals. One of the components is Accelerator Driven Cascade Subcritical Molten Salt Reactor (AD CSMSR) for transmutation of long-lived radioactive wastes in closed nuclear fuel cycle. The results of the investigations of the main CSMSR parameters are presented in the paper. At present it is unlikely to reach high efficiency of cascade amplification, because it requires a very high level of neutron flux and hence too high level of the power density in the Inner Core. Such intensive heat production could not be reliably removed on the basis of nowadays level of technology. INTRODUCTION Minimization of amounts of dangerous long-lived radioactive waste can make Nuclear Power more acceptable for society. Investigations MOLTEN SALT CSMSR SCHEME In previous works preliminary requirements were determined to CSMSR scheme for chosen fuel, salt compositions and construction materials: • Average neutron flux in transmutation zone must not be less then 2⋅10 15 neutron/(cm 2 ⋅s) for effective incineration of minor actinides; • Molten salt circulation velocity must not be greater then 5 m/s to decrease construction materials erosion; • Limiting temperature for Hastelloy-H (870°С) and melting temperature for salt composition determine temperatures range in central zone from 650°С to 850°С