An additional performance of HTRS: the waste radiotoxicity minimisation
1 Energy and Environmental Conditioning Department (DITEC), University of Genova, Via all'Opera Pia n. 15/a, I-16145 Genova, Italy
2 Department of Mechanical, Nuclear and Production Engineering (DIMNP), University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi n. 2, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
3 Research Society for Technological Development (SORIT s.r.l.), Via Montegrappa n. 15, I-57100 Livorno, Italy
4 Interuniversities Consortium for Nuclear Technological Research (CIRTEN), c/o DIMNP, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi n. 2, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
5 Department of Energetics, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi n. 2, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
* Corresponding author: cerullo{at}ditec.unige.it
The management of radioactive waste is a key issue for the present and future use of nuclear energy. In this frame, high temperature reactors (HTRs) have, among others, the capability to burn actinides. After a short introduction on HTRs, the performances of two MC-based burnup codes (Monte Carlo continuous energy burnup and MONTEBURNS) in assessing the ability of these reactors to burn actinides are compared. These codes are necessary for performing ultra-high burnup calculations on HTRs. The best one, in this specific case, results to be MONTEBURNS. It was analysed using HTRs loaded with the following: (1) 1st generation Pu, 600 equivalent full power days; (2) 2nd generation Pu, 645 equivalent full power days; and (iii) 33% 1st generation Pu and 67% Th, 705 equivalent full power days. Finally, it is possible to conclude that HTRs can reduce time when the waste is considered dangerous. Even if the amount of reduction does not solve the whole problem, it represents an important step in the management of radioactive waste.