The effects of flux spectrum perturbation on transmutation of actinides: Optimizing the production of transcurium isotopes

Susan Hogle, G. Ivan Maldonado, Charles Alexander

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The research presented herein involves the optimization of transcurium isotope production in the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Due to the strong dependence of isotopic cross sections upon incoming neutron energy, the efficiency with which an isotope is transmuted is highly dependent upon the neutron flux energy spectrum and intensities. There are certain energy ranges in which the rate of fissions in feedstock materials can be minimized, relative to the rate of nonfission absorptions. Therefore, it is proposed that by perturbing the flux spectrum, it is possible to increase the production yield key isotopes for the heavy element research program, such as 249Bk and 252Cf, which are produced during a transmutation cycle, relative to the consumption of feedstock material. The optimization process is carried out by developing an iterative objective framework that involves problem definition, flux spectrum and cross-section analysis, simulated transmutation, and analysis of final yields and transmutation parameters. It is shown that it is possible to perturb the local flux spectrum in the transcurium target by perturbing the composition of the target. It is further shown that these perturbations can alter the target yields in a significant way, increasing the amount of 252Cf produced per feedstock consumption by over 8%. Future work is necessary to develop the optimization framework and to identify the necessary algorithms to update the problem definition based upon progress toward the production of the desired transcurium isotope.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on the Physics of Reactors 2012, PHYSOR 2012
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in Reactor Physics
Pages2373-2382
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on the Physics of Reactors 2012: Advances in Reactor Physics, PHYSOR 2012 - Knoxville, TN, United States
Duration: Apr 15 2012Apr 20 2012

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on the Physics of Reactors 2012, PHYSOR 2012: Advances in Reactor Physics
Volume3

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on the Physics of Reactors 2012: Advances in Reactor Physics, PHYSOR 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKnoxville, TN
Period04/15/1204/20/12

Keywords

  • Isotope production
  • Optimization
  • Transcurium
  • Transmutation

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