Prototypes and fuel cycle options including transmutation

Transcription

1 A S T R I D Prototypes and fuel cycle options including transmutation General introduction, GEN IV fast reactors Transmutation demonstration Fuel cycle Conclusions DEN/CAD/DER/CPA Jean-Paul Grouiller / ASTRID Project «Core and Transmutation» «Fuel Cycle Interfaces» BRUSSELS, MARCH 18 th, 2015 PAGE 1

2 Fast Neutron Reactors of GEN IV SFR Sodium-cooled fast reactor GFR Gas-cooled fast reactor LFR Lead-cooled fast reactor ASTRID ALLEGRO ALFRED Closed fuel cycle Closed fuel cycle Closed fuel cycle Type of fuel : (U, Pu)O 2 Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 2

3 Why to choose a Fast Reactors? Three main reasons: Mastering, through recycling, the growth of Plutonium inventory Excellent use of uranium resource Unlike reactors currently in operation or construction worldwide, that use only about 1% of natural Uranium, Fast neutron Reactors are able to use more than 80% of the Uranium resource. Source : WEC, 2010 Survey of Energy. (Coal: 860 Gt, Oil: 163 Gt, Gas: 185 Tm3, Uranium : 3,5 Mt) The current stockpile of depleted Uranium available could feed the current needs of electricity production for several centuries. Ability to transmute and burn minor actinides Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 3

4 Illustration from LWRs recycling to FRs recycling Pu stored in MOX Spent Fuel recycled in MOX FR to start the FRs deployment Scenario can be flexible Both systems can coexist during a transition phase FRs merits as regards to fuel cycle Removal of the stages for the cycle upstream and no enrichment technology Use depleted U; Use Pu included in UOX or in MOX Spent Fuels Multi-recycling of Pu Possible recycling of Minor Actinides Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 4

5 4 th Generation Systems Waste management Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 5

6 4 th Generation Systems Waste management Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 6

7 The FRs Prototype objectives Technological Demonstrator for industrial Fast Reactors A GEN IV system Safety : - Level at least equivalent to GEN III systems - Integrating FUKUSHIMA accident feedback Sustainability : GENIV systems shall make better use of U and Pu resource, and have the capability, if the decision is taken, to perform transmutation of certain minor actinides Operability Realization of demonstrations on: Pu and U recycling minor actinides transmutation A mastered investment cost Irradiation services and options test Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 7

8 Minor Actinides Transmutation Concepts Conception, Validation : Based on 20 years of R&D (Contribution of the EU programs) U R T FP All the fuel cycle is concerned by Transmutation R&D Areas : U Pu MA Partitioning processes Fabrication processes Homogeneous recycling Fuels behavior Fuels (U, Pu, MA)O2 Irradiations U * Industrial demonstration in the FRs Prototypes *Priority to Americium Homogeneous mode < 2% Heterogeneous mode < 20 % R T FP MA U Pu Heterogeneous recycling Fuels (U, Pu)O2 Specific cycle for Transmutation Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 8

9 Contribution of FRs Prototypes for Transmutation Minor Actinides : Am, Np,.. Transmutation mode : Homogeneous Heterogeneous Develop and Qualify the concept Experimental irradiations up to some sub-assemblies in Prototypes In progress or in the near future Materials Section of pin Pin Some of pins Sub assembly Different temperatures Core prototype Irradiations systems 24 MARS 2015 Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 9

10 Fuel cycle for transmutation demonstration in the FRs Prototypes Hot cell Cellule chaude Proto ASTRID U Fabrication AFC Am Labo ATC Am Reprocessing Pu Adaptation A few pour Sub-assemblies fabrication fabrication with assemblages MA CCAm, Procédé Voie Diluée (U,Pu,Am)O2) ou forte teneur en Pu UO 2 UPuAmO 2 Co-conversion Retraitement Am MA U, Pu Quelques mini A few samples aiguilles/an (CCAm and pins with MA ou (U,Pu,Am)O 2 ) Traitement Lab combustible for partitioning à Extension à la forte teneur en Pu séparation de l Am Hot Labs for destructive exams Labos chauds pour examens destructifs Lubrifiant Dosage Mélange Pastillage Frittage Rebuts Contrôles Pastilles 24 MARS 2015 Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 10

11 Conclusions FRs prototypes : (U, Pu)O 2 fuels Potential to demonstrate the closed cycle for Pu and U Several experimental phases to implement different transmutation scenarios using homogeneous and heterogeneous concepts. Experimental programs in support to the demonstration for industrial FRs o New materials o Type of fuels (carbide, nitride,..) o The consumption of Pu the availability of facilities involved in the Prototypes material cycles Interfaces with others R&D Fabrication Transportation Reprocessing Waste management Brussels March 18 th 2015 PAGE 11

12 Thank you for your attention PAGE 12 CEA 10 AVRIL 2012 Commissariat à l énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives Centre de Cadarache DER/CPA bt Saint-Paul lez Durance Etablissement public à caractère industriel et commercial RCS Paris B Direction de l énergie nucléaire Département d Etudes des Réacteurs Cellule Projet ASTRID