Radiological characteristics of spent nuclear fuel from small modular reactors under consideration for deployment in Ukraine
Small modular reactors represent a promising technology for power generation, offering solutions to the energy crisis and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. As Ukraine considers the deployment of NuScale, UK SMR, and SMR-160, it is crucial to address the safe management of spent nuclear...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1451-3994/2023/1451-39942302088K.pdf |
| Summary: | Small modular reactors represent a promising technology for power generation,
offering solutions to the energy crisis and mitigating greenhouse gas
emissions. As Ukraine considers the deployment of NuScale, UK SMR, and
SMR-160, it is crucial to address the safe management of spent nuclear
fuel. This study focuses on evaluating the radiological characteristics of
spent nuclear fuel from the selected small modular reactors and for
comparison, from the VVER-1000 reactor. Using the Monte Carlo code Serpent,
depletion calculations were performed for an assembly in an infinite 2-D
geometry, and the activity, decay heat, and inhalation toxicity of the
spent nuclear fuel were assessed. We determined the main nuclides contributing to the radiological characteristics and quantified the mass content of
these nuclides. The total number of spent nuclear fuel assemblies produced
during the entire life of each small modular reactor type was estimated. The
radiological characteristics assessed for the three small modular reactors
do not exceed those observed for VVER-1000 reactors currently operating in
Ukraine. So, spent nuclear fuel generated by the selected small modular
reactors will introduce no new challenges to Ukraine's radioactive waste
management system. The results of this work provide valuable insights for
identifying the optimal small modular reactor technologies for Ukraine
concerning safe spent nuclear fuel management. |
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| ISSN: | 1451-3994 1452-8185 |