Minor Actinide Neutron Reaction Data (MANREAD)

The strategies foreseen for future development and employment of nuclear power generation underline the use of nuclear energy systems in which the nuclear fuel contains consistent and controlled amounts of the minor actinides (MA). These minor actinides, particularly neptunium and americium, are produced as normal by-products of the operation of thermal power reactors. Because of the existence of long-lived isotopes of these elements, they constitute the major sources of the radiation in spent fuel and in wastes resulting from their reprocessing. Reliable and accurate neutron-induced reaction cross section data are required for the important isotopes of these MAs, including reasonably low uncertainties for sound core design studies and high burn-up strategies.

The Agency has initiated a Coordinated Research Project on “Neutron Reaction Data for Minor Actinides (MANREAD)” as part of a worldwide effort to determine the present status of our knowledge on MA neutron reaction data. Experimental facilities will be assessed to undertake measurements of neutron reaction cross sections for the important isotopes of the MA elements. The CRP is expected to deliver the results of this experimental, theoretical and nuclear data evaluation work by the end of 2011