Accelerator technology for the Los Alamos ATW (accelerator transmutation of nuclear waste) system

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6081675

Lawrence, G P

The Los Alamos concept for accelerator transmutation of nuclear waste (ATW) employs a high-power proton linear accelerator to generate intense fluxes of thermal neutrons (>10{sup 16} n/cm{sup 2}-s) through spallation on a lead-bismuth target. The nominal beam energy for an ATW accelerator is 1.6 GeV, with average current requirements ranging from 250 mA to 30 mA, depending on application specifics. A recent study of accelerator production of tritium (APT) led to the development of a detailed point design for a 1.6 GeV, 250 mA cw proton linac. The accelerator design was reviewed by the Energy Research Advisory Board (ERAB) and found to be technically sound. The Panel concluded that linac of this power level could now be implemented within the existing technology base, given an adequate component development program and an integrated engineering demonstration of the front end.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6081675
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-91-100; CONF-910603--4; ON: DE91007356
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430000 -- Particle Accelerators
ACCELERATORS
BARYONS
BEAMS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
MATERIALS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEON BEAMS
NUCLEONS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PROTON BEAMS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SPECIFICATIONS
THERMAL NEUTRONS
TRANSMUTATION
WASTES