Analysis of fast reactor fuel irradiation behavior in the MA recycle system

Ozawa, Takayuki   

In a recycle system for minor actinides (MAs) currently studied to reduce the degree of hazard and the amount of high-level radioactive wastes, MAs will be recycled by reprocessing and irradiating as mixed oxide (MOX) with plutonium (Pu) and uranium (U) in a fast reactor. MA content is expected to be 5 wt.% in the future recycle system, and MAs might affect irradiation behavior of MA-MOX fuels. The main influences of MA-containing would be increase of fuel temperature and cladding stress, and the important behaviors would be fuel restructuring, redistribution, helium (He) generation and cladding corrosion. The MA-containing influences were evaluated with CEPTAR.V2, including fuel properties and analysis models to evaluate the MA-MOX fuel irradiation behavior, by using the results of highly americium (Am) containing MOX irradiation experiment, B8-HAM, performed in Joyo. The irradiation behavior of Am-MOX fuels could be precisely analyzed and revealed the influences of Am-containing.