Advanced nuclear energy systems and the need of accurate nuclear data: the n TOF project at CERN

Author(s)

N Colonna, Francesca Belloni, Eric Berthoumieux, M Calviani, César Domingo-Pardo, Carlos Guerrero, Dimitrios Karadimos, Claudia Lederer, Cristian Massimi, Carlos Paradela, Ralf Plag, Javier Praena, Raúl Sarmento

Abstract

To satisfy the world's constantly increasing demand for energy, a suitable mix of different energy sources has to be devised. In this scenario, an important role could be played by nuclear energy, provided that major safety, waste and proliferation issues affecting current nuclear reactors are satisfactorily addressed. To this purpose, a large effort has been under way for a few years towards the development of advanced nuclear systems with the aim of closing the fuel cycle. Generation IV reactors, with full or partial waste recycling capability, accelerator driven systems, as well as new fuel cycles are the main options being investigated. The design of advanced systems requires improvements in basic nuclear data, such as cross-sections for neutron-induced reactions on actinides. In this paper, the main concepts of advanced reactor systems are described, together with the related needs of new and accurate nuclear data. The present activity in this field at the neutron facility n_TOF at CERN is discussed.

Organisation(s)

Isotope Physics

External organisation(s)

Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Roma, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Universitat de València, Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas Medioambientales y Tecnológica, University of Ioannina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Universidad de Sevilla, Nuclear and Technological Institute (ITN)

Journal

Energy and Environmental Science

Volume

3

Pages

1910-1917

No. of pages

8

ISSN

1754-5692

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1039/C0EE00108B

Publication date

2010

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103014 Nuclear physics

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/684de81d-8223-4869-a2f5-85d80e00017d