Use of the Am Fraction of Minor Actinides for the Production of Plutonium Suitable for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators
https://doi.org/10.56304/S2079562923010256
Abstract
The article considers the possibility of producing plutonium suitable for radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) of space vehicles, using the americium fraction of minor actinides (MA) as a starting material. It was supposed to place such a starting material in the central fuel assembly of the VVER-1000 light water reactor and the lead-cooled fast reactor BREST-1200. The preference for using only the Am-fraction of MA instead of the Np-fraction and the mixed Np−Am-fraction of MA is shown. The main advantage of the Am fraction is the fundamental impossibility of the appearance of undesirable 236Pu with hard γ-radiation of its decay products. A comparison of the conditions for the production of plutonium suitable for RTGs in the VVER-1000 and BREST-1200 reactors indicates a higher rate of production of such plutonium in the BREST-1200 fast reactor.
About the Authors
N. A. Shmelev
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
N. I. Geraskin
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
V. A. Apse
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
V. B. Glebov
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
G. G. Kulikov
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
E. G. Kulikov
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
A. E. Kruglikov
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
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Review
For citations:
Shmelev N.A., Geraskin N.I., Apse V.A., Glebov V.B., Kulikov G.G., Kulikov E.G., Kruglikov A.E. Use of the Am Fraction of Minor Actinides for the Production of Plutonium Suitable for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators. Nuclear Physics and Engineering. 2024;15(1):5-8. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.56304/S2079562923010256
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