PuMMA aims to define different options for Plutonium (Pu) management in Generation IV nuclear reactors, by evaluating the impact of high Pu content on the whole fuel cycle, reactor safety and performance.
Launched in October 2020, PuMMA is a 48 month long Horizon 2020 project funded under the Euratom research and training programme. It brought together 20 partners from 12 different countries. Coordinated by Nathalie Chauvin, international expert on fuels for advanced reactors at the CEA, PuMMA evaluated the impact of high Plutonium (Pu) content on the whole fuel cycle, reactor safety and performance, in order to define different options for Pu management in Generation IV nuclear reactors. This ultimately contributed to safer, more efficient and more sustainable clean nuclear energy production.
This project has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 945022.
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Enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties of the fuel with new measures
Coupling of thermomechanical and thermochemical simulation for fuel behavior
Contribution of atomistic and thermodynamic modelling in the evaluation of thermal properties
Better knowledge of the dissolution of Pu-rich MOX fuels (rate, kinetics, residues)
Impact of fuel cycle options on reactor, cycle and waste performance
Impact of Pu management on the cycle facilities (manufacturing, reprocessing, intermediate storage) and transport
Analysis and recommendations on MTR irradiation devices for qualification of fast fuels
Evaluation of the performance of the industrial process for the dissolution of irradiated fuel
Allowing each EU nation to have data in support of the decisions on nuclear strategy
Placing the EU at the forefront of the using existing plutonium stockpile
Contributing to proliferation resistance thanks to the inclusion of more plutonium in the fuel and the absence of uranium enrichment
Safety and cost at the core of decisions about reactor types and cycles, facilitating coherence and a hope for a better acceptance of the public
Evaluation of the cost of each fuel cycle scenario to highlight the feasible solutions for the deployment of Generation IV
Evaluation of plutonium management as a whole with reduction of resources use will result in reduction of the fuel cycle cost
No new uranium needs and no enrichment thanks to the use of depleted uranium that comes from reprocessing
Reduction of High Level waste by a factor 9 compared to open cycle
You want to have a complete overview of the different fuel cycle scenarios? In this first module you will have an in-depth analysis of the effect of the fuel cycle parameters on the Pu inventory and management of the ressources.
MODULE 1 LESSONSYou want to have a complete overview of the different fuel cycle scenarios? In this first module you will have an in-depth analysis of the effect of the fuel cycle parameters on the Pu inventory and management of the ressources.
MODULE 2 LESSONSYou want to understand what the properties of the fuel material depends on? You will have the results of the last measurements, the analysis from experts and the proposal of validated laws for modelling and designing fuel elements.
MODULE 3 LESSONSYou want to have a complete overview of the different fuel cycle scenarios? In this first module you will have an in-depth analysis of the effect of the fuel cycle parameters on the Pu inventory and management of the ressources.
MODULE 4 LESSONS