Transmutation of 239Pu irradiated by 660 MeV protons

Abstract

Today, one of the problems related to nuclear energy is the question of the utilization of plutonium from spent nuclear fuel, which has a relation to the problem of nuclear weapons and environmental protection. Nuclear transmutation of long-lived fission products is one of the great solutions to these problems. Transmutation is also the basic process of accelerator driven systems. It is claimed that the ADS offer new prospects and advantages for the reprocessing of high-level radioactive waste. Therefore, the study of plutonium spallation reactions by protons and/or neutrons is of great significance. In can bring a better understanding of the processes related to the issue. Paper describes cross-sections of fission and spallation reactions of a plutonium target irradiated with a proton beam with an energy of 660 MeV. Cross-section and reactions’ yields determination consists of three parts: experiment, data processing, and mathematical simulating the problem.