Hamid AÏT ABDERRAHIM | UCLouvain (University of Louvain) (original) (raw)

Papers by Hamid AÏT ABDERRAHIM

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2004

The Accelerator-Driven System has the potential to safely fission Minor Actinides and transmute, ... more The Accelerator-Driven System has the potential to safely fission Minor Actinides and transmute, on industrial scale, selected long-lived fission products into isotopes of lesser concern. European leading nuclear Industrial Companies and Research Centers, within the EURATOM 5 th Framework Programme, have studied three solutions of eXperimental Accelerator Driven Systems (XADS), different for the power (80 and 50 MW) or the primary coolant (Lead Bismuth Eutectic and Gas). Two main concepts of Target Unit are envisaged: the Window Target Unit which features a thin metallic sheet as a barrier between the LBE target and the Proton Beam Pipe and the Windowless Target Unit in which the proton beam impinges directly on the free surface of the liquid LBE target. These designs are under study in order to assess and compare them on a common basis, and to outline the main R&D needs.

We use the VENUS-3 experimental benchmark to examine the accuracy and parallel performance of PEN... more We use the VENUS-3 experimental benchmark to examine the accuracy and parallel performance of PENTRANTM (Parallel Environment Neutral-particle TRANsport), a three- dimensional parallel Sn code. VENUS-3 with its partial length assemblies is a 3-D benchmark with 370 measurements (58Ni(n,p), 115In(n,n'), and 27Al(n,) dosimeters). PENTRAN results are very close to experimental results; more than 95% of the Calculated-to-experimental (C/E) values are

SCK.CEN, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, works on the conceptual design and basic engineerin... more SCK.CEN, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, works on the conceptual design and basic engineering of a multipurpose ADS for R&D, dubbed MYRRHA, a small high-performance irradiation facility with fast neutron fluxes up to 1.10 15 n/cm /s to start operation in about 2010. It is to serve for demonstrating the ADS concept and to be used for research on structural materials and nuclear fuel, liquid metals and associated aspects, reactor physics and subsequently on applications such as waste transmutation, radioisotope production and safety of sub-critical systems.

Integrated Science & Technology Program, 2013

The European Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) now gathers more than 100 org... more The European Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) now gathers more than 100 organizations (research organizations, utilities, vendors, technology providers, technical safety organizations, universities, consulting companies, and nongovernmental organizations). Its first Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) was edited by a specific Task Group drawing on contributions from more than 160 scientists and engineers from more than 60 member organizations of SNETP and taking into account the feedback obtained from an open public consultation: the SRA provides the foundation for the establishment of joint research priorities that will enable European stakeholders, with the support of the European Commission, to transform a shared vision into reality, thus contributing to European energy policy and in particular, via the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII), to the objectives of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan).

New Applications of Nuclear Fission, 2004

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 2007

Since 1998, SCK•CEN, Mol, Belgium,—in partnership with many European research laboratories—is des... more Since 1998, SCK•CEN, Mol, Belgium,—in partnership with many European research laboratories—is designing a multipurpose Accelerator Driven System for R&D applications—MYRRHA. In parallel, an associated R&D support program is being conducted. MYRRHA aims to serve as a basis for the European experimental ADS providing protons and neutrons for various R&D applications. It consists of a LINAC proton accelerator delivering a 350MeV*5mA

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2008

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2006

The potential to incinerate minor actinides (MA) in a sub-critical accelerator-driven system (ADS... more The potential to incinerate minor actinides (MA) in a sub-critical accelerator-driven system (ADS) is a subject of study in several countries where nuclear power plants are present. The performance of the MYRRHA experimental ADS, as to the transmutation of Am and Cm in the inert matrix fuel (IMF) samples consisting of 40 vol.% (Cm 0.1 Am 0.5 Pu 0.4)O 1.88 fuel and 60 vol.% MgO matrix with a density of 6.077 g cm À3 in three various spectrum regions, were analysed at the belgian nuclear research centre SCK AE CEN. The irradiation period of 810 effective full power days (EFPD) followed by a storage period of 2 years was considered. The ALEPH code system currently under development at SCK AE CEN was used to carry out this study. The total amount of MA is shown to decrease in all three considered cases. For Am, the decrease is the largest in the reflector (89% decrease) but at the cost of a net Cm production (92% increase). In the two other positions (inside the core region), 20-30% of Am has disappeared but with a lower production of Cm (between 7% and 11%). In the reflector, a significant build-up of long-lived 245 Cm, 246 Cm, 247 Cm and 248 Cm was also observed while the production of these isotopes is 10-1000 times smaller in the core. The reduction of the Pu content is also the highest in the reflector position (41%). In the other positions the incinerated amount of Pu is much smaller: 1-5%.

Nuclear Back-end and Transmutation Technology for Waste Disposal, 2014

MYRRHA (Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications) is an experimental acce... more MYRRHA (Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications) is an experimental accelerator-driven system (ADS) currently being developed at SCK•CEN for replacement of material testing reactor BR2. The MYRRHA facility is conceived as a flexible fast-spectrum irradiation facility that is able to run in both subcritical and critical modes. The applications catalogue of MYRRHA includes fuel developments for innovative reactor systems, material developments for GEN IV systems and fusion reactors, doped silicon production, radioisotope production, and fundamental science applications, thanks to the highpower proton accelerator. Next to these applications, MYRRHA will demonstrate the ADS full concept by coupling a high-power proton accelerator, a multimegawatts spallation target, and a subcritical reactor at reasonable power level to allow operational feedback, scalable to an industrial demonstrator, and to allow the study of efficient transmutation of high-level nuclear waste. Because MYRRHA is based on the heavy liquid metal technology, namely lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE), it will be able to significantly contribute to the development of Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) technology and will have the role of European Technology Pilot Plant in the roadmap for LFR. The current design of the MYRRHA ADS and its ability to contribute to the European Commission strategy for high-level waste management through Partitioning and Transmutation (P&T) are discussed in this chapter.

Tunnels Et Ouvrages Souterrains, 2004

L'article presente les techniques envisagees pour la construction, partiellement ou totalemen... more L'article presente les techniques envisagees pour la construction, partiellement ou totalement enterree, d'une structure de confinement contenant un Systeme Pilote par Accelerateur de recherche, dans les sables aquiferes de Mol en Belgique. Pour les parois verticales, tant les parois moulees que le havage ouvert sont des techniques qui se pretent bien a la geometrie actuelle du bâtiment et a la geologie presente. Le radier serait lui, soit coule entierement sous eau, soit coule en deux phases (pre-radier sous eau et radier final a sec). Nous presentons egalement une approche des calculs de stabilite d'un tel ouvrage.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2015

The MYRRHA project started in 1998 by SCKCEN. MYRRHA is an MTR, based on the ADS concept, for mat... more The MYRRHA project started in 1998 by SCKCEN. MYRRHA is an MTR, based on the ADS concept, for material and fuel research, for studying the feasibility of transmutation of Minor Actinides and Long-Lived Fission Products arising from radioactive waste reprocessing and finally for demonstrating at a reasonable power scale the principle of the ADS. The MYRRHA design has progressed through various framework programmes of the European Commission in the context of Partitioning and Transmutation. The design has now entered into the Front End Engineering Phase (FEED) covering the period 2012e2015. The engineering company, which will handle this phase, has been selected and the works have begun in the late 2013. In the mean time we have made some refinements in both primary systems and plant layout, including the reactor building design. In this paper, we present the most recent developments of the MYRRHA design as existing today.

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 2003

Monitoring of reactivity in an ADS should be performed on-line with a simple, accurate and robust... more Monitoring of reactivity in an ADS should be performed on-line with a simple, accurate and robust technique. Within the range of experimental reactor techniques, no single technique can be selected which meet these requirements. Therefore a combination of different techniques has to be chosen in a way that various off-line techniques serve as a calibration method for the on-line measurement

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, 2013

To be able to answer the worlds' increasing demand for energy, nuclear energy must be part of the... more To be able to answer the worlds' increasing demand for energy, nuclear energy must be part of the energy basket. The generation of nuclear energy produces, besides energy, also high-level nuclear waste, which is nowadays for geological storage. Transmutation of the minor actinides and long-lived fission products that arise from the reprocessing of the nuclear waste can reduce the radiological impact of these radioactive elements. Transmutation can be completed in an efficient way in fast neutron spectrum facilities. Both critical fast reactors and subcritical accelerator driven systems are potential candidates as dedicated transmutation systems. Nevertheless, an accelerator driven system operates in a flexible and safer manner even with a core loading containing a high amount of minor actinides leading to a high more-efficient transmutation approach.

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2004

In the MUSE shared cost action of the European Fifth Framework Program measurements have been per... more In the MUSE shared cost action of the European Fifth Framework Program measurements have been performed to investigate the neutronic behavior of the fast subcritical core MASURCA coupled with the GENEPI accelerator. The aim is to examine the applicability of different measurement techniques for the determination of the main kinetic parameters. The measurement of Rossi-alpha distributions, recorded with the accelerator turned off, showed that the analysis of the obtained distributions is feasible for deep subcritical levels, but with strongly deteriorated statistics. From Rossi-alpha distributions, recorded with the pulsed neutron source in operation, the alpha decay constant was easily derived due to good statistics on the correlated signal resulting from the strong intensity of the neutron pulse. When applying the pulsed neutron source analysis, the reactivity (in dollars) together with the ratio of the mean neutron lifetime l and the effective delayed neutron fraction β eff is immediately derived. Although these first results are very promising, further measurements are needed to qualify the method at larger subcritical levels which are representative for future ADS.

Energy Conversion and Management, 2012

ABSTRACT MYRRHA (Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications) is the flexibl... more ABSTRACT MYRRHA (Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications) is the flexible experimental Accelerator-Driven System (ADS) currently under development at SCK⋅CEN and will replace the Material Testing Reactor (MTR) BR2. The MYRRHA facility is currently being developed with the aid of the FP7-project “Central Design Team” and will be as a flexible irradiation facility, able to work in both subcritical and critical modes. In this way, MYRRHA will allow fuel developments for innovative reactor systems, material developments for GEN IV systems, material developments for fusion reactors, radioisotope production for medical and industrial applications, and Si-doping.MYRRHA will also demonstrate the full concept of Accelerator Driven Systems by coupling the requisite three components (accelerator, spallation target and subcritical reactor) at reasonable power level to allow operation feedback, scalable to an industrial demonstrator and allow for the study of efficient transmutation of high-level nuclear waste. Since MYRRHA is based on the heavy liquid metal technology, Lead–Bismuth Eutectic, it will be able to significantly contribute to the development of Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) technology. Further, in critical mode, MYRRHA will play the role of European Technology Pilot Plant in the path forward for LFR.In this paper we present the historical perspectives, international and high profile membership within the consortium of the MYRRHA project and the rationale for the design choices are presented. Also, the latest configuration of the reactor system is described together with the different irradiation capabilities. More specifically, the possibilities and performances for fuel irradiations are presented in detail.

Transactions of the …, 2009