2 Nov (NucNet): Japan, France and the US have signed an agreement to carry out research into using minor actinides in fast breeder reactor (FBR) units.
The agreement, which lasts five years, was signed between the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, the US Department of Energy and the Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique (French Atomic Energy Commission or CEA).
The project is to be carried out under a Generation IV International Forum (GIF) agreement signed in February 2006 on collaboration in the field of sodium-cooled fast reactor systems.
Researchers are aiming to eventually irradiate fuel assemblies at Japan’s prototype Monju FBR. The experimental Joyo FBR will also be used for the project.
The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum said research will begin with the measurement of the physical properties of fuel with minor actinides. Work will also include the preparation and procedures for carrying out irradiation tests using Monju and the fabrication of test fuel.
The US will provide the minor actinides materials, while France will produce fuel pins and Japan will provide facilities for the irradiation tests.
The “minor actinides” are the actinide elements – also called actinoids – in used nuclear fuel other than uranium and plutonium, which are the “major actinides”. The use of minor actinides in fast breeder reactors would result in the “burning” of these isotopes, making radioactive waste from reprocessing less toxic and much faster to decay. It would also allow many more recycling cycles and therefore more efficient use of uranium resources.
