Conceptual study of fusion-driven system for nuclear waste transmutation

A conceptual study of a fusion-driven system for nuclear waste transmutation using a low aspect ratio (LAR) tokamak as a neutron source is performed. A configuration of the LAR tokamak neutron source optimised with respect to both transmutation rate and the tritium breeding ratio for aspect ratio A in the range of 1.5–2.0 is found. The transmutation characteristics of both transuranic actinides and minor actinides are investigated and compared. When the transuranic actinides are loaded in the blanket, the neutron multiplication factor decreases from its initial value, keff = 0.95, but with the minor actinides loaded in the blanket, the neutron multiplication factor shows a peak value during burn-up. The peak value can be controlled by adjusting the blanket dimensions. To transmute the nuclear waste effectively, an equilibrium fuel cycle is developed for both transuranic actinide and minor actinide transmutation.