Neutronic Model of a Mirror Based Fusion-Fission Hybrid for the Incineration of Spent Nuclear Fuel and with Potential for Power Generation

In the last decade the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) published several design concepts of tokamak based fusion-fission hybrids which use solid fuel consisting of the transuranic elements of spent nuclear fuel from Light-Water-Reactors. The objectives of the hybrids are the incineration of the transuranic elements and additional net energy production.

The paper presents a rough scientific design of the blanket of a mirror hybrid which was derived from the results of neutron transport calculations. The main operation parameters of two hybrid options were specified. One is the analog to Georgia Techs first version of a “fusion transmutation of waste reactor” (FTWR) and the other is a possible near-term option which requires minimal fusion power.