- Journal of Nuclear Sciences
- Vol: 6 Issue: 1
- The Feasibility of using 3He-3He Fuel in a Fusion Reactor
The Feasibility of using 3He-3He Fuel in a Fusion Reactor
Authors : Javad Bahmani
Pages : 1-7
View : 7 | Download : 3
Publication Date : 2019-12-26
Article Type : Research
Abstract :The possibilities of using advanced aneutronic fuels such as 3 He- 3 He for a clean and efficient fusion power generation are regarded as the most important topics in nuclear engineering. This fuel is completely n eutron- free thus, no material activation inside the fusion reactor and no dangerous consequence of accidental radioactive release occurs but it requires high demanding conditions for present-day technology. The investigations show that the radiation power losses are the main problems in the use of this fuel in a fusion reactor. The losses have a principal role in determining the operating temperature of this fuel. The results demonstrate that even under almost optimistic operating conditions, the bremsstrahlung loss power is more than fusion power. T o dominate the bremsstrahlung radiation, it would be desired to reduce the electron temperature less than their normal equilibrium values. To improve the performance of 3 He- 3 He fusion reactor and to minimize bremsstrahlung and synchrotron radiation , it is essential that the energy transmitted from ions to electrons is minimized . When the electron temperature is low enough, the bremsstrahlung loss is manageable; however, the ion- electron energy transfer rate is very large. The studies indicate that the reduction in the bremsstrahlung power fraction is more useful than the reduction in the ion-electron energy transfer fraction . To restrict he bremsstrahlung power to logical theory level (less than half the fusion power), it is essential to reduce the ion- electron energy transfer rate to the possible minimum in 3 He- 3 He fuel.Keywords : Fusion, reactor, fuel, radiation