Preliminary Design of Hybrid Energy Reactor and Related Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Abstract

We propose a preliminary design for a fusion-fission hybrid energy reactor (FFHER), based on current fusion science and technology and well-developed fission technology. We list design rules and put forward a primary concept blanket, with uranium alloy as fuel and water as coolant. The FFHER could achieve greater energy multiplication (M>10 for U-Zr alloy fuel and M>5 for UO2 fuel) and tritium sustainability (TBR>1.05). The sub-critical blanket will last 30 years without reshuffling fuel. Fission products are the only waste that needs disposal. A new dry process called Fission Product Removal (FPR) replaces conventional reprocessing. It is only necessary to remove the cladding, vent the volatiles and pulverize the solids as feedstock for EM2 fuel fabrication. The AIROX (or DUPIC) process is an example of this operation and has been well demonstrated. After removing the fission products from its 30-year discharge, the refabricated fuel is returned to the reactor for another cycle, thereby reducing the need for enrichment and the proliferation resistance would be increased.