Proposal of an MFE-IFE cooperative system for a steady-state tritium balance

Abstract

A new concept of a fusion reactor system, MFE-IFE cooperative system, is proposed. This concept combines the merits of a small-size MFE reactor and a dry-wall IFE reactor and aims at sufficient amount of tritium production and electricity generation without advanced technology. Design window analysis shows a NIF-scale (5m chamber radius) dry-wall laser fusion reactor with a ∼1GWth fusion output and net tritium breeding ratio (TBR) of 1.74 can sustain an MFE power plant with a fusion power of 3GWth and net TBR of 0.96. Although more detailed quantitative analyses are required, this concept can be a possible solution for a simultaneous achievement of tritium self-sufficiency and significant net electricity generation.