Fusion Neutrons Transmutation Of Actinide Wastes

Disposal of radioactive wastes (fission products and actinides) has been a key concern for the future development of fission power reactors. Since the D-T fuel cycle fusion reactor can create a high energy neutron rich environment in the fusion reactor blanket, it may be an ideal vehicle for the transmutation of actinide wastes. Based on the relatively near term extrapolation of the next major fusion research device, ITER, and the optimized design of fusion reactor blanket, i.e. enhancement of neutron population by beryllium neutron multiplication and minimum use of neutron absorbing structural material, we found that the effectiveness of actinide transmutation in a fusion reactor blanket can be quite high. Preliminary calculation indicates that all the stored actinide waste in the last 30 years in the U.S. can be be handled by 30 years operation of one 1000 MW(e) actinide transmutation fusion reactor (ATFR). Similarly, two ATFRs can handle the generation of actinides in the U.S. on a steady basis. These results are very encouraging, more detailed reactor and fuel cycle system designs will be needed to confirm these results and compare with other waste disposal scenarios.