Fusion hybrid reactor for nuclear waste burning and energy production

by Prof. Olov Ågren (Uppsale University)

Thursday 7 Oct 2010, 13:00 → 15:00 Europe/Stockholm

FA31

A concept based on a steady state mirror fusion machine is presented. The aim is to develop a reasonably "near time option" for application of fusion, avoiding a strong extrapolation of the present performance of fusion devices. The study is therefore limited to a "ow performance fusion neutron source, with a fusion power gain of only 0.15 (far below the requirements for power production in a fusion reactor). By considering geometries and arrangements where it is possible to achieve a high energy multiplication by fission reactions in a mantle surrounding the fusion neutron source, it may still be possible to obtain a substantial net power production. The presentation will focuse on results for a suggested hybrid reactor concept based on a mirror machine. Such a system has a long-thin shape but have in several other aspects similarities with acceleration driven systems with a spallation source. Steady state operation, material loads by plasma and neutron bombardment, plasma heating, plasma stabiliy, tritium reproduction, incineration of radioactive isotopes and reactor safety are some topics that will be covered. A specific theoretical study considers a 25 m long fusion device aimed for delivering 10 MW fusion power and a total of 1.5 GW thermal power (mainly from fission). The studies predict that material loads for a hybrid reactor are much lower than corresponding material loads for fusion reactors, and choices for fusion device geometry and materials are crucial. The cooling of the hybrid system is one challenge. An idea to orient the fusion device vertically to achieve self circulation of the lead coolant will be briefly discussed. The cooling of the system is only one problem where input from expertise in the fission community would be valuable.