Neutronic model of a mirror based fusion-fission hybrid for the incineration of the transuranic elements from spent nuclear fuel and energy amplification

The Georgia Institute of Technology has developed several design concepts of tokamak based fusion-fission hybrids for the incineration of the transuranic elements of spent nuclear fuel from Light-Water-Reactors. The present paper presents a model of a mirror hybrid. Concerning its main operation parameters it is in several aspects analogous to the first tokamak based version of a "fusion transmutation of waste reactor". It was designed for a criticality k(eff) <= 0.95 in normal operation state. Results of neutron transport calculations carried out with the MCNP5 code and with the JEFF-3.1 nuclear data library show that the hybrid generates a fission power of 3 GW(th) requiring a fusion power between 35 and 75 MW, has a tritium breeding ratio per cycle of TBR(cycle) = 1.9 and a first wall lifetime of 12-16 cycles of 311 effective full power days. Its total energy amplification factor was roughly estimated at 2.1. Special calculations showed that the blanket remains in a deep subcritical state in case of accidents causing partial or total voiding of the lead-bismuth eutectic coolant. Aiming at the reduction of the required fusion power, a near-term hybrid option was identified which is operated at higher criticality k(eff) <= 0.97 and produces less fission power of 1.5 GW(th). Its main performance parameters turn out substantially better. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.