Feasibility study on the transmutation of long lived fission products in a fast reactor

A feasibility study was performed to develop a fast reactor core for reducing the long-term radioactivity of long-lived fission products (FP). Using a continuous energy Monte-Carlo code (MVP), systematic parameter survey calculations were implemented to investigate the transmutation of FP in a fast reactor. Target subassemblies which contain FP and moderator materials were placed on the core periphery of a 600MWe-class fast reactor. 99Tc and 129I was selected as targets for transmutation. Novel target pellet concepts were evaluated, with the aim of improving transmutation rates. With these new pellets, the maximum transmutation rate for 99Tc reached about 10%/y. (author)