Abstract
An analysis of the growth rates of the reactor economies, the associated material flows, and energy balances of a system of coupled D-**3 He satellites and **3 He generators, fusion, hybrid, and fission reactors, is developed to explore different system configurations and implementation strategies. Hybrids of fuel factories allow for high **3 He production rates but the ensuing maximum electrical support ratios range from 0. 08 to 0. 17 due to the considerable energy production in the fission island. For generators based on the D-T fuel cycle, the electrical support ratios range from 1. 1, at 10 years after implementation, to 2. 4 after 50 years. For generators based on the semi-catalyzed D-D (SCD) fuel cycle, these numbers are 2. 5 and 4. 5 respectively. The maximization of the support ratios is associated with a saturation tritium inventory of 3 kg per thermal megawatt (MWth) of the SCD fusion generators, and 0. 63 kg per NWth of the total installed capacity. The options available for system implementation using large support ratios with significant tritium inventories as compared to operation under low support ratios without tritium breeding in association with portable fuels production are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference |
| Publisher | ANS |
| Pages | 1536-1541 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0894481150 |
| State | Published - 1984 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Fuel Technology
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering