Minor actinide transmutation in an accelerator-driven system prototype: Results from fuel developments within the European programme EUROTRANS

Studies on fuel development within the EUROTRANS project, motivated by assessing industrial practicability for actinide transmutation, have provided a wide range of results. Several cores loaded with primary TRU fuel candidates: MgO-cercer and enrMo-cermet, have been designed and optima meeting the specifications have been found. Preliminary thermo-mechanical calculations of the hottest fuel pins have provided evidence of good performances. Based on current analyses and knowledge, these fuels do not pose safety limits. Nevertheless, safety margins for enrMo-cermet fuel are considerably higher than those for MgO-cercer. Irradiation tests: FUTURIX-FTA and HELIOS, on Mo-cermet and MgO-cercer fuels have been completed. Helium behaviour in inert matrices during irradiation was investigated within the BODEX irradiation test. Thermal properties of a large range of fuels have been assessed. Compatibility tests were performed between: actinide phases, inert matrix candidates, T91 cladding and Pb coolant. Finally, great progress has been made in Pu-Am-O phase diagram investigation. These results reinforce the interest of both MgO-cercer and enrMo-cermet for the 400 MWth EFIT machine with higher safety margins for the cermet fuel.JRC.F.4-Nuclear Reactor Integrity Assessment and Knowledge Managemen