Research activities for accelerator-driven transmutation system at JAERI

Sasa, Toshinobu   

JAERI performs R&D of accelerator-driven systems (ADS) for transmutation of long-lived nuclides under national OMEGA program since 1988. To study the basic characteristics of ADS, Transmutation Experimental Facility is proposed under a framework of JAERI-KEK joint J-PARC project. A comprehensive R&D program for future ADS plant is also performed since 2002. R&D items are categorized into three fields, (1) accelerator (superconducting LINAC design), (2) lead-bismuth target/coolant (material compatibility, thermal-hydraulics around beam window and polonium behavior) and (3) subcritical core (system design, nuclear data, subcriticality measurement, and safety issues of ADS). First phase of the program will be done within three years. Assemble test of the cryomodule, heat transfer experiment using Pb-Bi thermal-hydraulics loop, cold test of polonium vaporization, design study of the 800MW ADS subcritical core are now underway. Part of this job was funded by the MEXT as one of the public offered R&D program for innovative nuclear systems.