Accelerator Driven Subcritical Reactors

Describes the knowledge useful for understanding accelerator driven subcritical nuclear reactors (ADSRs), also known as hybrid reactors. This book discusses the general energy problem and the elementary physics of neutron reactors. It also examines the specifics of ADSR, from neutron sources to safety features.

Finally, the last chapter deals with the examination of proposed and possible waste transmutation policies and the role which could be played by ADSR in this context. The potential advantage of the Thorium cycle is discussed as well as different scenarios that could be used to implement it.

INTRODUCTION THE ENERGY ISSUE World Energy Perspectives Renewable energies Nuclear Energy Costs The Possible Role of Accelerator Driven Subcritical Reactors ELEMENTARY REACTOR THEORY Interaction of Neutrons with Nuclei Neutron Propagation Neutron Multiplying Assemblies Limiting Values Reactor Control Fuel Evolution Basics of Waste Transmutation ADSRS PRINCIPLES Properties of the Multiplying Medium PRACTICAL SIMULATION METHODS Neutron Reaction Data Files Deterministic Methods Monte-Carlo Codes Physics in MCNP MCNP in Practice Examples Fuel evolution THE NEUTRON SOURCE Interaction of Protons with Matter Alternative Primary Neutron Production Experimental Determination of the Energy Gain Two Stage Neutron Multipliers High Intensity Accelerators ADSR KINETICS REACTIVITY EVOLUTIONS Long Term Evolutions Short Term Reactivity Excursions FUEL REPROCESSING TECHNIQUES Basics of Reprocessing Wet Processes Dry Processes GENERIC PROPERTIES OF ADSRS The Homogeneous Spherical Reactor Parametric Study of Heterogeneous Systems WASTE INCINERATION The Thorium-Uranium Cycle Incineration GROUND LAYING PROPOSALS Solid Fuel Reactors Molten Salt Reactors Cost Estimates SCENARIOS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADSRS Experiments Demonstrators APPENDIX A: DEEP UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL OF NUCLEAR WASTE Determining the Dose to the Population Accidental Intrusion Heat Production and Sizing of the Storage Site Geological Hazard An Underground Laboratory, What For? APPENDIX B: THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT AND THE RMBK REACTORS The RBMK-1000 Reactor Events leading to the accident The accident APPENDIX C: BASICS OF ACCELERATOR PHYSICS Linear Accelerators Cyclotrons Superconductive solutions Space Charge Limitations INDEX