Impact of Am-241 on proliferation-resistant fuel cycle in boiling water reactors

Nuclear power is a cornerstone for achieving global sustainable energy goals, offering a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels and promising significant contributions to energy security and climate change mitigation. However, the dual-use nature of nuclear technology presents inherent risks of nuclear proliferation, where materials and technologies intended for civilian energy production could be diverted to develop nuclear weapons. In this study, the impact of adding 241Am to the fuel composition on reactor operations for BWRs was analysed using CASMO-4/SIMULATE-3, focusing on achieving a proliferation-resistant fuel cycle. An examination was conducted on the breeding behaviours of plutonium atoms, as well as on power distribution and thermal behaviour. Analyses of neutronics and the fuel cycle have demonstrated that the addition of 241Am can facilitate the attainment of the necessary 238Pu ratio for a proliferation-resistant fuel cycle in BWR operations. Despite the requirement to moderately increase uranium enrichment to sustain cycle duration, it was observed that this adjustment does not significantly alter the power or thermal profiles.