Discriminators for the Accelerator-based Conversion (abc) Concept Using a Subcritical Molten Salt System

Discriminators are described that quantify enhancements added to plutonium destruction and/or nuclear waste transmutation systems through use of an accelerator/fluid fuel combination. This combination produces a robust and flexible nuclear system capable of the destruction of all major long-lived actinides (including plutonium) and fission products. The discriminators discussed in this report are 1) impact of subcritical operation on safety, 2) impact of subcritical and fluid fuel operation on plutonium burnout scenarios, and 3) neutron economy enhancements brought about by subcritical operation. Neutron economy enhancements are quantified through assessment of long-term dose reduction resulting from transmutation of key fission products along with relaxation of processing frequencies afforded by subcritical operation.