The main objective is to study the effects of spectral shifting in an inertial confinement system for kT/shot energy regime on the breeding performance for tritium and for high quality fissile fuel. A protective liquid droplet jet zone of 2m thickness is used as coolant, energy carrier, and breeder. Flibe as the main constituent is mixed with increased mole-fractions of heavy metal salt (ThF₄ or UF₄) starting by 2 moles% up to 12 moles%. Spectrum softening within the inertial confinement system reduces the tritium production ratio (TBR) in the protective coolant to a lower level than unity. However, additional tritium production in the ⁶Li₂DT zone of the system increases TBR to values above unity and allows a continuous operation of the power plant with a self-sustained fusion fuel supply. By modest fusion fuel burn efficiencies (40 to 60%) and with a few mol.% of heavy metal salt in the coolant in form of ThF₄ or % UF₄, a satisfactory TBR of >1.05 can be realized. In addition to that, excess fissile fuel of extremely high isotopic purity with a rate of ~1000kg/year of ²³³U or ²³⁹Pu can be produced. Radiation damage through atomic displacements and helium gas production after a plant operation period of 30 years is very low, namely dpa <1 and He <2ppm, respectively.

Direct link: http://www.nuclear-engineering-journal.com/KT100251