Transmutation of nuclear wastes in a fusion breeder

Abstract In this paper, the calculations and analyses on the transmutation of long-lived radioactive waste actinides minor actinides (MA) in a fusion experimental breeder (FEB) are reported. Actinides Np, Am, Cm were chosen for this transmutation study due to their ability to dominate the nuclear wastes in the spent fuel of PWR. Time-dependent neutronics and depletion calculations were performed through a modified version of the one-dimensional neutron transport and burn-up calculation code BISON1.5. The transmutation rate of various nuclear wastes and its relationship to neutron wall loading, neutron energy spectrum, the compositions of actinides and thickness of transmutation zone were investigated. Optimization of the neutronics design and the choices of system parameters were performed. Relevant results were also given.