Pulsed/Intermittent Activation in Fusion Energy Reactor Systems

Recently developed pulsed/intermittent irradiation calcu-lational models were used to analyze changes in the activity of major first wall constituents (aluminum, iron, manganese) due to changes in reactor pulsing schedules. Both magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE) experimental reactor systems were considered. Comparisons among pulsing schedules with equal neutron fluences demonstrated that the activities of some nuclides can be reduced to 28% of the values computed using a baseline pulsing schedule. This can be significant if the radionuclide affected dominates the total activity of the first wall.