Hybrid nuclear reactors

H.Nifenecker; S.David, J.M.Loiseaux, A.Giorni
Institut des Sciences Nucléaires
IN2P3-UJF
53 Ave. des Martyrs
Grenoble Cedex
F38026
France

Date: December 19 1998

Contents

Introduction

The energy question

World energy perspectives

• Energy consumptions
• Fossil reserves
• Greenhouse effect

Renewable energies

• Solar Energy
• Biomass
• Wind energy
• Hydro-Electricity

Nuclear energy

• Standard reactors
• Breeding reactors

Costs

Elementary reactor theory

Interaction of neutrons with nuclei

• Elementary processes
• Properties of heavy nuclei
• Neutron density, flux and reaction rates

Neutron multiplying assemblies.

Neutron propagation

• Boltzmann equation
• Integral form of the Boltzmann equation
• The Fick's law
• Diffusion equation
• Diffusion equation
• Slowing down of neutrons

Reactor control

• Delayed neutrons
• Temperature dependence of the reactivity
• Critical trip
• Residual heat extraction

Practical calculations methods

• Deterministic methods
• Monte Carlo methods

Hybrid reactors principles

Interaction of protons with matter

• Electronic energy losses
• Nuclear stopping
• The Nuclear cascade
• Experimental tests of the INC models
• The neutron source
• State of the art of the simulation codes

Alternative primary neutron production

• Deuteron induced neutron production
• Muon catalyzed fusion
• Electron induced neutron production

Properties of the multiplying medium

• Energy gain
• Neutron balance
• Neutron importance

Safety features

Fuel evolution

Evolution equations

Reactivity excursions

Size of hybrid reactors

Critical reactors

• Maximum flux
• Critical masses

The homogeneous spherical reactor

• General solution of the diffusion equation
• The three zones reactor
• Model calculations

Realistic systems

Two stages neutron multipliers

Practical Proposals

Solid fuel reactors

• The proposal of C. Rubbia
• Neutronics

Molten salt reactors

• The proposal of C. D. Bowman

Cost estimates

Waste incineration

General considerations

• Radiotoxicities
• Waste management options
• Neutron balance for transmutation and incineration

Reprocessing policies

• Official policies
• Alternative policies
• The Thorium-Uranium cycle.
• Plutonium incineration. The TIER concept

Conclusion

Bibliography