Fuel Evolution in Hybrid Reactor Based on Thorium Subcritical Assembly with Open Trap as Fusion Neutron Source (Computer Simulations)

Abstract

Results of computer simulation of the fuel evolution in thorium nuclear cycle in a subcritical assembly in case of thorium-plutonium initial composition is presented in the paper. The simulation is conducted for specialized facility in which a long solenoid with hot plasma is situated inside of the subcritical fuel assembly. The plasma column produces additional neutrons due to D-D fusion reaction that are necessary for a fission reactor with this assembly. Total intensity of neutron emission over all plasma volume with the length of 3 m is N = 2 × 10 16 neutrons per second. We have chosen the percentage of plutonium 5% in thorium-plutonium initial composition and in this case, the effective coefficient of neutron multiplication is 0.95, as shown by our simulation. The fuel evolution was calculated for duration of operation time 3000 days. As a result, we have demonstrated the decrease in the coefficient of neutron multiplication and in the power of the nuclear fission process in the described time. Results of simulations are discussed.

Summary of the 2nd International Workshop on Gas-Dynamic Trap based Fusion Neutron Source (GDT-FNS)

“…The third presentation of Prof. Shamanin (TPU), this time on behalf of himself, was devoted to the dynamics of energy release in a hybrid reactor operating with GDT-based neutron source in a pulse-periodic mode [15]. He told of his studies of the energy release dynamics in a hybrid thorium reactor facility with an extended neutron source based on a long magnetic trap.…”