Reducing beryllium content in mixed bed solid-type breeder blankets

摘要: Beryllium (Be) is a precious resource with many high value uses, the low energy threshold (n,2n) reaction makes Be an excellent neutron multiplier for use in fusion breeder blankets. Estimates of requirements and available resources suggest that this could represent major supply difficulty solid-type blanket concepts. Reducing quantity required by blankets would help to alleviate problem some extent. In addition, it important reduction does not diminish blanket's performance key aspects such as tritium breeding ratio (TBR), multiplication peak nuclear heating. Mixed pebble bed designs allow fraction be varied throughout blanket. This neutronics study used MCNP 6 investigate linear variations relation depth, order better utilise multiplying Be(n,2n) reactions. Blankets uniform showed little scope mass. varying fractions were able simultaneously 10% less Be, increase amplification 1%, reduce heating 7% maintaining sufficient TBR when compared achievable using composition.