EFFECT OF THE NEUTRON SPECTRUM ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF Np, Am, AND Cm TRANSMUTATION CHAINS

摘要

It is shown by analysis of the influence of the neutron spectrum on the neutron balance of the transmutation chains of ~(237)Np and ~(241)Am that in a fast-reactor spectrum these chains are short and more neutrons are created (excess 0.8-1 neutron per starting nucleus) than absorbed in them. In a thermal-reactor spectrum, these chains are longer and more neutrons are absorbed (deficit 0.7-0.83 per starting nucleus) than created in them. Additional nuclear fuel, for example, ~(235)U and ~(239)Pu, must be burned to cover the neutron deficit.