Accelerator-driven systems for nuclear waste transmutation: global technological progress with focus on CIADS project

Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADS) represent a transformative approach to nuclear waste management, offering the potential to reduce long-lived radiotoxicity while enhancing nuclear fuel utilization. This comprehensive review analyses global technological advancements in ADS development, with particular emphasis on China's pioneering CiADS (China Initiative Accelerator Driven System) project. The study synthesizes data from major international programs including MYRRHA (EU), J-PARC (Japan), and IAEA collaborative benchmarks, examining: 1) High-power proton accelerator reliability achieving more than 85% beam availability at 500 MeV/5 mA operation; 2) Spallation target innovations using Liquid Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) enabling 700 W/cm³ power density handling; 3) Subcritical core designs with minor actinide-bearing fuels demonstrating 98.7% transmutation efficiency over five recycling passes; and 4) Integrated safety validation confirming core damage frequencies less than 3×10⁻⁸/year through inherent subcriticality (effective multiplication factor, keff equal to 0.75) and passive decay heat removal. The fuel cycle in CiADS achieves breakthrough resource efficiency with 95% uranium utilization and waste volume reduction to less than 5% of conventional levels. Technological roadmaps indicate potential deployment of industrial-scale 300 MWth transmutation plants by 2035, supported by emerging regulatory frameworks. The analysis establishes ADS as a viable solution for closing the nuclear fuel cycle while providing a technical foundation for future sustainable nuclear energy systems.