Updated Reference Design of a Liquid-Metal-Cooled Tandem Mirror Fusion Breeder

Abstract

The current version of a reference design for a liquid-metal-cooled tandem mirror fusion breeder (fusion-fission hybrid reactor) is summarized. The design update incorporates the results of several recent studies that have attempted to resolve key technical issues that were associated with an earlier reference design completed in 1982. The issues addressed relate to the following areas of design and performance: nuclear performance, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure loading, beryllium multiplier lifetime, structural efficiency and lifetime, reactor safety, corrosion/mass transfer, and fusion breeder capital cost. The updated blanket design provides increased performance and reduced technological risk in comparison with earlier fission-suppressed hybrid blanket designs. Specifically, the blanket is expected to achieve a net fissile breeding ratio (per fusion) of 0.84, with a tritium breeding ratio of 1.06, and an average blanket energy multiplication of 2.44. It would operated at a relatively low neutron wall loading (1.7 MW/m/sup 2/) with a low lithium coolant outlet temperature (425/sup 0/C).