Liquid lead-bismuth target as intense neutron source in accelerator-driven systems for actinides transmutation and plutonium utilization

The results of the conceptual designing of liquid lead-bismuth targets are presented for the proton beam of 1-20 -MW power. Energy deposition, secondary neutrons fields, thermal and hydraulic characteristics have been calculated for the target circuit. Some problems of the coolant quality maintenance are considered. The polonium activity and an opportunity of its removal from the target circuit are discussed. The key problems of liquid metal target feasibility are formulated. On the whole these problems do not contain difficulties of principal nature, and liquid metal target development and fabrications seems to be quite real task. (author)