High Performance Breeding Blankets for ICF Facilities

Discussed are the advantages of using fusion neutrons for breeding special nuclear materials and tritium. Monte Carlo calculations were used to identify both fissionable and nonfissionable materials that multiply neutrons and increase breeding ratios. Fissionable multipliers also greatly multiply the neutron energy. A generic blanket design that utilizes 238_U as a neutron multiplier is decribed and compared to an ideal infinite-medium blanket. Time-dependent calculations show gradual improvement of performance during the lifetime of the blanket. The blanket analyzed here is compatible with a reaction chamber that uses high velocity lithium, held on the wall by centrifugal acceleration, to protect the wall from pellet explosions.