Recent research and development on partitioning and transmutation by "double-strata fuel cycle concept" in JAEA

Minato, Kazuo ; Morita, Yasuji  ; Kimura, Takaumi ; Oigawa, Hiroyuki ; Arai, Yasuo; Sasa, Toshinobu   

In JAEA, research and development (R&D) activities for partitioning and transmutation (P&T) have been promoted under the OMEGA program for 20 years. The first review of these activities was performed by the Japan Atomic Energy Commission in 2000. In accordance with the results of the review, JAEA is conducting the R&D on the P&T technology based on the "Double-strata Fuel Cycle concept" as well as that based on the commercial fast reactor cycle. The "Double-strata Fuel Cycle concept" consists of the partitioning process of the high-level waste (HLW) and the dedicated transmutation cycle using the accelerator-driven system (ADS) with the minor actinide (MA) nitride fuel. The benefit of P&T technology in terms of the waste management is also discussed. The second check and review on P&T was made in September 2008 - March 2009. The review results and recommendations for future R&D are introduced.