The status of the US accelerator transmutation of waste programme

Since the last bi-annual meeting on partitioning and transmutation, the US accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW) programme has changed significantly. Two years ago, the only effort was the preparation of a research plan for developing ATW technology. Today, a significant research effort in underway, and the US is seeking opportunities to collaborate with other national programmes. Although the US fuel cycle is still based on a 'once-through' process, with civilian spent fuel being stored for direct disposal in a geologic repository, the technical feasibility for transmutation is being investigated as a possible future option. Technetium-99, iodine-129 and neptunium-237 may be released from a repository over geologic time periods and are the principle radioisotopes for transmutation studies. Substantial reduction in total fissile materials and generation of useful energy are also possible benefits of ATW. New test facilities are being considered which may be useful for future multinational studies. (author)