Minimization of Nuclear Waste using AHWR Reactor Technology
- Amity Univ., Noida (India)
- Atkins Ltd India (India)
- University of Delhi (India)
Nuclear sciences have grown from creating reactors to a greater understanding of how to dispose off the waste exhibited by the nuclear activities. Various methodologies have been proposed and are being used in order to do the same. This poster poses great attention to 'Using a fuel cycle dedicated to the production of the lower quantity of minor actinides, is one of the key targets in reducing nuclear waste in india'. A significant fraction of thorium is utilized as a fertile host in the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR300-LEU) fuel. Being lower in the periodic table, it leads to a reduction of minor actinides. It produces only half of the minor actinides as a waste as compared to modern LWRs. As thorium oxide has inert nature, it benefits in its prolonged storage. Therefore, safe disposal of spent fuel is achieved due to the inert matrix, on completion of one fuel cycle mode. AHWR is a 300 MWe, vertical, pressure-tube type, boiling light water-cooled, and heavy water-moderated reactor. Employs natural circulation for removal of heat from the reactor core. In-situ conversion of {sup 232}Th into {sup 233}U. The reactor design permits flexible fuel cycle options. There are two types of AHWR depending upon the fuel cycle options. Uses thorium-based oxide fuels: two fuel cycle options. With the adoption of thorium fuel cycle, AHWR300-LEU produces less minor actinides. As compared to modern LWRSs, it produces almost 37% less amount of actinides for the same amount of energy production, which in turn minimizes the burden on waste disposal requirements. But, it is associated with radionuclides such as {sup 231}Pa (produced through absorption of one neutron and emission of two neutrons). Since, the reaction rate of (n,2n) reactions is very low in thermal neutron reactors, thus making the fuel cycle the favorable one. Thorium oxide (ThO{sub 2}) is chemically stable and is the highest oxidation state of thorium, therefore the inert nature of the matrix is advantageous for safe disposal of spent fuel in case of adoption of open fuel cycle mode and offers prolonged storage of spent fuel. The AHWR is thorium fueled Indian nuclear reactor that assimilates several new features with diminished environmental concern due to reduced waste generation. Since thorium fuel cycle produces less long lived nuclear waste, thus it can possibly bring the world cleaner and more sustainable nuclear energy. Currently, India being the only country with large scale research program of thorium nuclear power serves a platform for the development and demonstration of all technologies and advanced safety systems.
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 23005512
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-21-WM-P34; TRN: US21V1493045846
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WM2019: 45. Annual Waste Management Conference, Phoenix, AZ (United States), 3-7 Mar 2019; Other Information: Country of input: France; 3 refs.; available online at: https://www.xcdsystem.com/wmsym/2019/index.html
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
HEAVY WATER
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
INDIA
MINIMIZATION
OPEN FUEL CYCLE
PROTACTINIUM 231
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTION KINETICS
REACTOR DESIGN
SPENT FUELS
THERMAL NEUTRONS
THORIUM
THORIUM 232
THORIUM CYCLE
THORIUM OXIDES
URANIUM 233
WATER COOLED REACTORS