Speaker
Dr
Paolo Giovanni Saracco
(Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sez. Genova, Italy)
Description
In the framework of research on generation IV reactors, it is very important to have the
opportunity of using infrastructures specifically dedicated to the study of fundamental
parameters in kinetics and/or dynamics of future, fast-neutron based, reactors, a
capability not available for presently available zero-power prototypes.
We propose the conceptual design of an ADS with high safety standards, to be used as
well as a training facility, but also good flexibility to allow for an wide range of
measurements: safety is guaranteed by limiting both the power of the system to be less
than 500 kW and the neutron multiplication coefficient to be around 0.95, by using
plutonium-free fuel and diffusion by a solid lead matrix.
Lead has been chosen by considering this prototype to be a useful step towards the
design of future LFR, as well as because it allows a harder neutron spectrum, to
facilitating tests on actinides fission, as well
The system is intrinsically subcritical and it needs an external neutron source to be
sustained.
Specific target of the conceptual design is to optimize design features of the core in
such a way to meet previous requirements with the use of commercially available
accelerator to reduce design costs and increase reliability.
The conceptual design considers 88 active elements made by a solid lead matrix of
dimensions 92X92X1200 mm., each containing 81 uranium oxide fuel rods, enriched at 20%
of U235. Protons, coming from a continuous cyclotron of 70 MeV in energy and 1 mA in
beam current, are converted into neutrons by a beryllium target. Cooling is provided by
helium gas, transparent to neutron and not subject to activation.
Author
Dr
Paolo Giovanni Saracco
(Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sez. Genova, Italy)
