Development of techniques for minor actinides transmutation using fast reactors; Irradiation tests of MA-containing mixed oxide fuel in Joyo

Okawachi, Yasushi ; Sugino, Kazuteru; Sekine, Takashi ; Soga, Tomonori ; Kitamura, Ryoichi; Aoyama, Takafumi 

A mixed oxide containing minor actinides fuel irradiation program is being conducted using the experimental fast reactor Joyo to develop a low decontamination TRU fuel cycle technology. In the program, irradiation test subassemblies were fabricated, which contains test fuel pins including MOX fuel containing 5% americium in maximum and MOX fuel containing 2% americium and 2% neptunium. Short-term and steady-state irradiation experiments were planned in Joyo. The short-term test of 10 minutes irradiation was conducted in May 2006 to research early thermal behavior of MA-MOX fuel. Thus, the operation fulfilling the necessary test conditions has been achieved.