TY - GEN
T1 - Reducing neutron emission from small fusion rocket engines
AU - Cohen, S. A.
AU - Chu-Cheong, M.
AU - Feder, R.
AU - Griffin, K.
AU - Khodak, M.
AU - Klabacha, J.
AU - Meier, E.
AU - Newbury, S.
AU - Paluszek, M.
AU - Rognlien, T.
AU - Thomas, S.
AU - Walsh, M.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - The mainstream efforts to generate electrical power via fusion, represented by the ITER and NIF projects, would use a deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel mixture to produce energy; the neutrons therein generated would breed the needed tritium. Such approaches to fusion power are predicted to result in large, massive (> 500 mT), and high power (GW) reactors, ill suited for spacecraft missions envisaged for this century. We have been investigating a different fusion reactor concept based on an advanced-fuel (D-3He), RF-heated, field-reversed configuration (FRC) and find that small, relatively low power (1-10 MW) reactors with high specific power are possible and are suitable for a variety of missions throughout the solar system and beyond. Herein we describe the methods to reduce neutron emission to below 1% of the fusion power, thereby reducing the thickness of shielding required to 20 cm and increasing the longevity of the components and the specific power.
AB - The mainstream efforts to generate electrical power via fusion, represented by the ITER and NIF projects, would use a deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel mixture to produce energy; the neutrons therein generated would breed the needed tritium. Such approaches to fusion power are predicted to result in large, massive (> 500 mT), and high power (GW) reactors, ill suited for spacecraft missions envisaged for this century. We have been investigating a different fusion reactor concept based on an advanced-fuel (D-3He), RF-heated, field-reversed configuration (FRC) and find that small, relatively low power (1-10 MW) reactors with high specific power are possible and are suitable for a variety of missions throughout the solar system and beyond. Herein we describe the methods to reduce neutron emission to below 1% of the fusion power, thereby reducing the thickness of shielding required to 20 cm and increasing the longevity of the components and the specific power.
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84991610657
T3 - Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
SP - 7749
EP - 7759
BT - 66th International Astronautical Congress 2015, IAC 2015
PB - International Astronautical Federation, IAF
T2 - 66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015
Y2 - 12 October 2015 through 16 October 2015
ER -