PLASMA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, vol.20, no.7, 2018 (SCI-Expanded)
In this paper, neutronic analysis in a laser fusion inertial confinement fusion fission energy (LIFE) engine fuelled plutonium and minor actinides using a MCNP codes was investigated. LIFE engine fuel zone contained 10 vol% TRISO particles and 90 vol% natural lithium coolant mixture. TRISO fuel compositions have Mod(1): reactor grade plutonium (RG-Pu), Mod(2): weapon grade plutonium (WG-Pu) and Mod(3): minor actinides (MAs). Tritium breeding ratios (TBR) were computed as 1.52, 1.62 and 1.46 for Mod(1), Mod(2)and Mod(3), respectively. The operation period was computed as similar to 21 years when the reference TBR > 1.05 for a self-sustained reactor for all investigated cases. Blanket energy multiplication values (M) were calculated as 4.18, 4.95 and 3.75 for Mod(1), Mod(2) and Mod(3), respectively. The burnup (BU) values were obtained as similar to 1230, similar to 1550 and similar to 1060 GWd tM(-1), respectively. As a result, the higher BU were provided with using TRISO particles for all cases in LIFE engine.