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Journals / Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 3

Assessment of Performance in an Accelerator-Driven System Using Minor Actinides and Thorium

Minör Aktinit ve Toryum Kullanılan Bir Hızlandırıcılı Sürücülü Sistemde Performansın Değerlendirilmesi

Alper Buğra Arslan(BATMAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ, MÜHENDİSLİK-MİMARLIK FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-9964-2342
Büşra Durmaz(AHİ EVRAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-6659-1067
Hüseyin Yapıcı(BAŞKENT ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-2994-7786
Pages
1032–1039
Publication Date
2025-09-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Neutronic calculations were performed using the MCNPX 2.7 nuclear code.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADS) operate on a subcritical principle, distinguishing them from conventional reactors by ensuring that the chain reaction ceases when the accelerator is turned off, thereby providing a safer technology.
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Key Findings & Data:Additionally, their ability to operate with a thorium-based fuel cycle makes them a cleaner and more abundant energy source.
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Conclusion & Impact:Neutronic calculations were performed using the MCNPX 2.7 nuclear code.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Enerji kazancı · Hızlandırıcı sürücülü sistemler · Minör aktinit

Abstract

Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADS) operate on a subcritical principle, distinguishing them from conventional reactors by ensuring that the chain reaction ceases when the accelerator is turned off, thereby providing a safer technology. These systems play a crucial role in the transmutation of minor actinides derived from thermal reactors, the production of new radioisotopes, and the generation of secure energy. Additionally, their ability to operate with a thorium-based fuel cycle makes them a cleaner and more abundant energy source. This study focuses on the transmutation of nuclear waste, the utilization of thorium in energy production, and the assessment of energy gain. In the research, various types of mixed oxide (MOX) fuels (MOX11, MOX21, MOX12, and MOX22) obtained from thermal reactors were used. In this context, the energy gain of the accelerator-driven system was analyzed by adding thorium dioxide to the fuel region of the designed system, alongside the minor actinide dioxide that is naturally present in MOX fuel at certain proportions. The study found that the highest energy gain was achieved with a fuel mixture containing 90% minor actinide dioxide and 10% thorium dioxide. Neutronic calculations were performed using the MCNPX 2.7 nuclear code.

Özet

Hızlandırıcı Sürücülü Sistemler, geleneksel reaktörlerden farklı olarak kritik-altı çalışma prensibine sahip olup, hızlandırıcı kapatıldığında zincirleme reaksiyonun durması sayesinde daha güvenli bir teknoloji sunar. Bu sistemler, termal reaktörlerden elde edilen minör aktinitlerin dönüştürülmesi, yeni radyoizotop üretimi ve güvenli enerji sağlanması gibi alanlarda önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Ayrıca, toryum kaynaklı yakıt döngüsüyle çalışabilme özelliği sayesinde daha temiz ve bol bulunan bir enerji kaynağı olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, nükleer atıkların dönüştürülmesi, toryumun enerji üretiminde değerlendirilmesi ve enerji kazancının incelenmesi temel odak noktalarıdır. Araştırmada, termal reaktörlerden elde edilen karışık oksit yakıtı (MOX) türleri (MOX11, MOX21, MOX12 ve MOX22) kullanılmıştır. Bu bağlamda, tasarlanan sistemin yakıt bölgesine, MOX yakıtında belirli oranlarda doğal olarak bulunan minör aktinit dioksitin yanı sıra toryum dioksit eklenerek hızlandırıcı sürücülü sistemin enerji kazancı analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, en yüksek enerji kazancının, %90 minör aktinit dioksit ve %10 toryum dioksit içeren yakıt karışımı ile elde edildiği belirlenmiştir. Nötronik hesaplamalar, MCNPX 2.7 nükleer kodu kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir.

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Cite This Article

Arslan, A. B., Durmaz, B., Yapıcı, H. (2025). Assessment of Performance in an Accelerator-Driven System Using Minor Actinides and Thorium. Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 3, 1032–1039. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1640466

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