Fusion-Fission Hybrid Nuclear Reactors: For Enhanced Nuclear Fuel Utilization and Radioactive Waste Reduction - Hardcover

by Weston M. Stacey (Author)

Nuclear energy might contribute to a long-term solution to stave off climate change. But current nuclear fission technology accesses only about 1-3% of the nuclear energy content of natural uranium, thus is expensive, inefficient and creates a nuclear waste disposal problem that has no solution in reach.

Combination with emerging nuclear fusion in fusion-fission hybrid technology could yield neutrons to convert much more of the Uranium into fissionable material, thus increasing efficiency and reducing nuclear waste.

This work describes fusion-fission hybrid technology. Chapters briefly review nuclear fission principles and describe design and safety of advanced reactor types.

Then the fundamentals of nuclear fusion and fusion reactors are described, together with ongoing and future challenges and developments in this not-yet matured technology. Then chapters convey how to use surplus neutrons from the fusion to assist with the fission processes, and how to obtain needed deuterium and tritium.