An approach to the experimental validation of the fission multiplying blanket of hybrid fusion fission systems. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salvatores, M.; Orsitto, F.; Carta, M.; Burgio, N.; Fabrizio, V.; Falconi, L.; Palomba, M.; Panza, F.
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 157(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Fusion fission hybrid systems -- FFHS -- Subcritical systems -- TRIGA reactors; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2020.108055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: For the validation of the Fusion Fission Hybrid Systems (FFHS) concept, the coupling of a fusion device to a multiplying fission medium can be seen as one very specific case of the coupling of an intense neutron source to a fission system. Among the validation experiments performed in the past, some experiments in the frame of the MUSE program and the experiments pre-TRADE can be considered as an initial database to be used in a step-by-step validation of the FFHS concept. A preliminary evaluation has been carried out by considering the coupling of a mono-energetic external fusion source (DD, En = 2.5 MeV, or DT type, En = 14.1 MeV) with the TRIGA RC-1 reactor in subcritical configuration. A successive phase of validation should be envisaged, where the actual coupling of a small size fusion device with a multiplying fission blanket could be carried out. Preliminary analyses show that some subcritical TRIGA RC-1 configurations can be representative of the neutron flux behavior in FFHS subcritical blanket. Abstract: Fusion Fission Hybrid Systems (FFHS) could have a potential role in the management of fission reactor wastes, with (in principle) some advantage over the comparable Accelerator Driven systems, devoted to the same objective. The validation of the concept poses major challenges in the area of fusion "source" development. However, the physics of the multiplying and transmutation blanket has also to be carefully understood and validated. Simple experiments can be envisaged for that purpose. Some of these experiments have already been performed in a different research framework (i.e. validation of the ADS concepts) and could constitute a very first database. Moreover, a new series of similar experiments could be planned.