The ''spin'' program at CEA - Transmutation aspects

The context and the objectives of the SPIN program at CEA related to the partitioning and transmutation of long-lived radioactive nuclei, have been described in ref. 1 and 2, as well as its complementary with the deep storage research activity. The main emphasis is on the reduction of the 'potential' radiotoxicity source in a waste repository, which implies to concentrate on actinides (Pu and transplutonium elements) as a first priority, the studies related to the long-lived, mobile fission products addressing mainly the issue of the reduction of the 'residual' radiotoxicity at the outlets of waste disposal sites. In the present paper the strategy and the main results of the transmutation studies performed up to now will be reviewed, with emphasis on the physics approach and on the metallurgy issues. 16 refs., 2 figs., 7 tabs