Analysis of a Spanish energy scenario with Generation IV nuclear reactors

Ochoa Valero, Raquel and Jiménez Varas, Gonzalo and Pérez Martín, Sara (2013). Analysis of a Spanish energy scenario with Generation IV nuclear reactors. "Energy Conversion And Management", v. 75 ; pp. 389-397. ISSN 0196-8904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.06.038.

Description

Title: Analysis of a Spanish energy scenario with Generation IV nuclear reactors
Author/s:
  • Ochoa Valero, Raquel
  • Jiménez Varas, Gonzalo
  • Pérez Martín, Sara
Item Type: Article
Título de Revista/Publicación: Energy Conversion And Management
Date: November 2013
ISSN: 0196-8904
Volume: 75
Subjects:
Freetext Keywords: Energy scenarios; Spain; Energy demand; Security of energy supply; Next generation reactors; Sodium-cooled fast reactors; SERPENT code; Minor actinides
Faculty: E.T.S.I. Industriales (UPM)
Department: Ingeniería Nuclear [hasta 2014]
Creative Commons Licenses: Recognition - No derivative works - Non commercial

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Abstract

The advantages of fast-spectrum reactors consist not only of an efficient use of fuel through the breeding of fissile material and the use of natural or depleted uranium, but also of the potential reduction of the amount of actinides such as americium and neptunium contained in the irradiated fuel. The first aspect means a guaranteed future nuclear fuel supply. The second fact is key for high-level radioactive waste management, because these elements are the main responsible for the radioactivity of the irradiated fuel in the long term. The present study aims to analyze the hypothetical deployment of a Gen-IV Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR) fleet in Spain. A nuclear fleet of fast reactors would enable a fuel cycle strategy different than the open cycle, currently adopted by most of the countries with nuclear power. A transition from the current Gen-II to Gen-IV fleet is envisaged through an intermediate deployment of Gen-III reactors. Fuel reprocessing from the Gen-II and Gen-III Light Water Reactors (LWR) has been considered. In the so-called advanced fuel cycle, the reprocessed fuel used to produce energy will breed new fissile fuel and transmute minor actinides at the same time. A reference case scenario has been postulated and further sensitivity studies have been performed to analyze the impact of the different parameters on the required reactor fleet. The potential capability of Spain to supply the required fleet for the reference scenario using national resources has been verified. Finally, some consequences on irradiated final fuel inventory are assessed. Calculations are performed with the Monte Carlo transport-coupled depletion code SERPENT together with post-processing tools.

More information

Item ID: 21562
DC Identifier: https://oa.upm.es/21562/
OAI Identifier: oai:oa.upm.es:21562
DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2013.06.038
Official URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S...
Deposited by: Memoria Investigacion
Deposited on: 19 Mar 2014 17:46
Last Modified: 26 Mar 2020 08:36
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