The fusion-fission hybrid (FFH) reactor has been recently revisited as a mid-term goal for energy production using neutrons from fusion, it appears as a useful intermediate step towards the long-term full fusion reactor development. We introduce criteria for the comparison between various hybrid concepts starting from the geometry of the fusion devise. Toroidal and linear geometries have been compared using two devices realistically feasible with present technology, the first is essentially based on the FAST proposal design, the second is a straight mirror device. The two compared solutions are representative of different amplification factor M=P(fus)/P(fis) The main difference concerns the production and utilization of neutrons. The Tokamak has higher total neutron rate (up to E+18 n/s), but on the other side the lower neutron performance in a mirror is partially mitigated by the machine greater accessibility. A burn-up simulation has been performed based on a conservative estimation of neutronic flux leading to a sustainable machine cycle, with fission fuel self-production from natural Th and fusion fuel self-production from natural Li.

Comparison Between Linear and Toroidal Fusion Core for Hybrid Fusion-Fission Reactor Development

BORIO DI TIGLIOLE, ANDREA
2012-01-01

Abstract

The fusion-fission hybrid (FFH) reactor has been recently revisited as a mid-term goal for energy production using neutrons from fusion, it appears as a useful intermediate step towards the long-term full fusion reactor development. We introduce criteria for the comparison between various hybrid concepts starting from the geometry of the fusion devise. Toroidal and linear geometries have been compared using two devices realistically feasible with present technology, the first is essentially based on the FAST proposal design, the second is a straight mirror device. The two compared solutions are representative of different amplification factor M=P(fus)/P(fis) The main difference concerns the production and utilization of neutrons. The Tokamak has higher total neutron rate (up to E+18 n/s), but on the other side the lower neutron performance in a mirror is partially mitigated by the machine greater accessibility. A burn-up simulation has been performed based on a conservative estimation of neutronic flux leading to a sustainable machine cycle, with fission fuel self-production from natural Th and fusion fuel self-production from natural Li.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/556845
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