Nuclear Energy Synergetics AN INTRODUCTION TO CONCEPTUAL MODELS OF INTEGRATED NUCLEAR ENERGY SYSTEMS Nuclear Energy Synergetics AN INTRODUCTION TO CONCEPTUAL MODELS OF INTEGRATED NUCLEAR ENERGY SYSTEMS A. A. Harms McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and M. Heindler Technical University of Graz Graz, Austria PLENUM PRESS. NEW YORK AND LONDON Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Main entry under title: Nuclear energy synergetics. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Nuclear engineering. 2. Nuclear physics. 1. Harms, A. A. II. Heindler, M., 1943- TK9153.N835 1982 621.48 82-16175 ISBN-I3:978-1-4615-9268-6 e-ISBN-13:978-1-4615-9266-2 DOl: I 0.1 007/978-1-4615-9266-2 ©1982 Plenum Press, New York A Division of Plenum Publishing Corporation 233 Spring Street, New York, N.Y. 10013 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 15t edition 1982 All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher To U.M. H. and G. Ch. H. PREFACE This book is intended as an introductory exposition of those nuclear energy systems concepts which are characterized by an integrated utiliz- ation of complementary nuclear processes. Basic to such systems is the notion of synergism, which herein implies the cooperative interaction of selected nuclear reactions and system components so as to provide overall advantages not possible otherwise. While the concept of nuclear energy synergism has in recent years become the focus of an increasing number of conferences, scientific papers, and institutional in-house reports, no text which encompasses the major topics of the subject at a conceptual and analytical level has appeared. It is our aim to present a systematic characterization of these emerging nuclear energy concepts suitable for the senior university student of nuclear science and engineering as well for the active pro- fessional involved in nuclear energy systems planning and analysis. In addressing the subject of nuclear energy synergism we have become most conscious of the tension between realism and vision in nuclear energy technology. As developed here, our perception of nuclear energy synergism is firmly rooted in the present and then seeks to proceed toward a heightened degree of compatibility and efficacy based on an enhanced integration of relevant nuclear processes. It is our view that such conceptual considerations must assume a greater role in the emerging techological orientation of nuclear energy systems planning. In giving s4ape and form to our perception of nuclear energy synerg- ism, it was necessary to adopt a perspective and methodology well suited to meet our objective or providing an exposition of both the diversity and the potential of synergetic nuclear energy systems concepts. The current vii viii embryonic state of awareness of these emerging systems concepts Preface prompted us to give this text a predominantly pedagogical emphasis at a conceptually fundamental and analytical level. For this reason, we have chosen to use a zero-dimensional lumped-parameter formulation as the main methodological tool of exposition. It followed then that elementary physics and systems considerations combined with a parametric charac- terization could well be used to describe the various system options while providing compact expressions for the assessment of system performance. From a broader point of view, we must hasten to add an important qualifier: this book is not to be viewed as a reactor physics text or design manual of synergetic nuclear energy systems. Indeed, we have deliber- ately avoided the incorporation of details on fission reactor physics, plasma physics, isotope accounting, nuclear data, and station design and operation. This is done for two paramount reasons: first, such details would unavoidably detract from the conceptual flow of synergetic ideas, and, second, either insufficient research exists on some pertinent topics or the appropriate information is already widely available. A Bibliography is included for further clarification of our exposition and for proceeding beyond our chosen level of emphasis. The organization of this book is in four parts. Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are preparatory in the sense that they place the subject in perspective and cast selected reactor physics and nuclear engineering topics into a form specifically suitable for our purposes. Chapters 4 and 5 contain an analysis of the integration of spallation accelerators and fission reactors. The next part, Chapters 6, 7, and 8, deal extensively with deuterium-tritium based fusion-fission symbionts and hybrids. Finally, Chapters 9 and 10 contain a discussion and analysis of advanced systems options and concepts. Most of Chapter 5 and Chapter 7 emphasize fuel dynamics at a more specialized level and could be deferred in an initial study of this text. Problems suitable as assignments are included at the ends of the chapters. Several appendixes deal with specialized topics and system characteriz- ation. A comment about notation seems appropriate. The analysis of a subject which covers a broad range of related scientific-engineering themes invariably brings with it the problem of notation. We have judged it useful to introduce some revised as well as some new notational forms which emphasize the unifying features of the subject. Self-evident nota- tional simplifications are subsequently made when the context makes its use quite clear. In each instance, however, these changes are noted when first introduced. In the preparation and writing of this monograph we have repeatedly been made conscious of the indirect role of others. We wish to acknowl- edge our intellectual debt to W. B. Lewis (Canada), J. D. Lawson (United Kingdom), and other pioneering scientists for early sowing the seed-as it were-for synergetic nuclear energy ideas. Our approach to the subject ix has been influenced by the writings of L. M. Lidsky (Massachusetts Preface Institute of Technology) and C. M. Miley (University of Illinois). To the scientists at a number of national laboratories, particularly at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Kernforschung- sanlage Juelich, Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, we acknowledge their efforts to transform concep- tual systems ideas into technically attainable forms. A stay by the senior author at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and his periodic association with the International Atomic Energy Agency has further contributed both to a broadened perspective of the subject and to a heightened appreciation for the need to conceive and examine advanced energy systems. It is our pleasure to acknowledge those with whom we have had the pleasure to be in contact as our ideas on nuclear synergism crystallized. This includes a number of very stimulating associates and students, among whom we acknowledge especially C. W. Cordon, W. J. Hartmann, H. W. Lang, K. Niederl, and J. K. Presley. Additionally, we appreciate the detailed review of this work by our associates Dr. E. M. Krenciglowa and Dr. K. F. Schoepf. To the above, as well as to the secretarial staff of the Department of Engineering Physics, the staff of the Engineering Word Processing Centre and to the McMaster University Audio-Visual staff, we express our sincere appreciation. July 1982 A. A. Harms McMaster University, Canada M. Heindler Technical University of Graz, Austria CONTENTS Preface v Part I AN EMERGING SYNTHESIS 1. INTRODUCTION 3 Nuclear Systematics • Reaction Linkages • Historical Developments • Emerging Perspective 2. NUCLEAR PROCESSES 17 Fission: Neutron Yield, Energy Yield, Neutron Spectrum. Spallation: Neutron Yield, Energy Yield, Neutron Spectrum • Fusion: Neutron Yield, Energy Yield, Neutron Spectra • Neutron Multiplication • Reaction Rates • Nuclear Cross Sections 3. REACTION AND REACTOR SYSTEMATICS 37 Reaction Notation • Reaction Linkages • Reactor Representations • Nuclear Syr:nbiosis • Back-End Fuel Cycle • Fuel Rejuvenation Part II SPALLATION-FISSION INTEGRATION 4. THE SPALLATION-FISSION SYMBIONT 63 System Description • Nuclear Fuel Balance • Fuel Self-Sufficiency • Power Balance • Power Generation and Fuel Self-Sufficiency • Fission and Beam Power • Enriched Fuel Supply • Extended Fuel Flow xi Kii 5. NUCLEAR FUEL TRAJECTORIES 85 Preface Stockpile Inventory • Simplified Trajectory • Discontinuous Trajectories • Trajectory Dynamics • General Trajectory Characterization • Trajectory Itemization • Cycle Dependencies • Trajectory Parametrization Part III (D-T) FUSION-FISSION INTEGRATION 6. THE (D-T) FUSION-FISSION SYMBIONT 109 System Description • Isotope Systematics • Fuel Self-Sufficiency • Core and Blanket Power • System Power 7. FISSILE-FUSILE FUEL TRAJECTORIES 127 System Characterization • Fuel Trajectory Core Components • Fuel Trajectory Blanket Components • Symbiont Fissile and Fusile Trajectories • Tritium Trajectory Formulation • Tritium Trajectory Parametrization • Fissile Fuel Trajectory Characterization 8. THE (D-T) FUSION-FISSION HYBRID 151 System Description • Isotope Flow Options • The Self-Sufficient 6Li Hybrid. The 6Li-Hybrid Breeder. The 7Li -Hybrid • The Natural-Li Hybrid. The T Hybrid • Tritium Trajectory • Fissile Trajectory • Hybrid Power Balance q, Part IV THE BROADER PERSPECTIVE 9. THE RECEDING HORIZON 179 D'-D Fusion • Advanced Fusion Fuels • Fusion Satellite Reactors • Fusion Parent-Satellite Power • Fission Satellite System • The Synergetic Ideal 10. THE EMERGING PERSPECTIVE 197 Tradition and Innovation • Nucleonics and Systematics • Nuclear Catalysis and Mass-Energy Sustainability • The Nuclear Energy Continuum • An Expanded Perspective • Synergism Revisited APPENDIX A: Bibliography 209 APPENDIX B: Nuclear Reaction Characterization 215 APPENDIX C: Equivalent Fuel Concept 223 APPENDIX D: Energy Flow Characterization 229 Index 237 Nuclear Energy Synergetics AN INTRODUCTION TO CONCEPTUAL MODELS OF INTEGRATED NUCLEAR ENERGY SYSTEMS