Abstract
Fusion fuel of D-3He combines a high-energy yield per fusion reaction with a relatively high fusion cross section. Moreover, its nuclear reaction (D + 3He → p + α, 18.3 MeV) minimizes neutrons and maximizes charged fusion products, enabling increased energy recovery efficiency by direct conversion. However, scarce 3He terrestrial resources have deterred research and development on this alternative. Production of 3He through inertial electrostatic confinement breeders, which supply 3He to field-reversed-configuration reactors (called satellites in reference to their dependence on the breeder) is explored. The breeder-satellite system is analyzed in terms of both energy balance and economics. The energy balance takes the net energy gain of the global system as the key parameter. The economic study determines the competitiveness of breeding with respect to 3He lunar mining, which was already shown to be an ultimately attractive route for commercial development.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
