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Improvement of the Neutronic Performance of the PACER Fusion Concept Using Thorium Molten Salt with Reactor Grade Plutonium

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Abstract

In this study, the improvement of neutronic performance of a dual purpose modified PACER concept has been investigated. Flibe as the main constituent are fixed as 92% coolant. ThF4 is mixed with increased mole-fractions of RG-PuF4 starting by 0 mol % up to 1 mol %. TBR variations for all the investigated salts with respect to the RG-PuF4 contents are computed. Tritium self-sufficiency is provided with the ThF4 when the adding RG-PuF4 content is higher than 0.75%. The energy multiplication of the blanket is increased as 70% with adding RG-PuF4 contents to ThF4. High quality fissile isotope 233U are produced with increasing RG-PuF4. DPA and helium production increases with increased RG-PuF4 content in molten salt. Radiation damage with dpa <1.7 and He <3.3 ppm after a plant operation period of 30 years will be well below the damage limit values.

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  1. Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, Ankara, Turkey

    Adem Acır

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  1. Adem Acır
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Correspondence to Adem Acır.

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Acır, A. Improvement of the Neutronic Performance of the PACER Fusion Concept Using Thorium Molten Salt with Reactor Grade Plutonium. J Fusion Energ 32, 11–14 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-012-9518-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-012-9518-4

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