Construction of minor actinides reduction scenario in Japan utilizing fusion reactors

摘要

This study demonstrates by numerical simulations how transmuting minor actinides in fusion reactors can contribute to nuclear fuel cycles in Japan. Minor actinides are installed into blankets of a helical-type fusion reactor to transmute them rather moderately so that neither large neutron wall loading nor removal of large heat are required. Neutron transport and burn-up simulations are conducted to optimize the position of minor actinides and the blanket's structure for transmutation. Whereas the ratio of transmuted minor actinides is not large, the total amount of transmuted minor actinides is revealed to be sufficient because of the system's large inventory. The simulations are followed by a plan that introduces fusion reactors intended for transmutation. Discussion based on Japan's present situation confirms that introduction of fusion reactors with a thermal fusion output of 1 GW by the year 2050 would mitigate many issues concerning disposal of high-level radioactive waste.