A fission-based, distributed, 14 MeV fusion neutron radiation source for first wall/blanket component testing and system development

A large-volume, distributed, pulsed, 14 MeV neutron source, which utilizes the high powered (270-GW) Power Burst Facility (PBF) at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, is described. The concept of utilizing existing fission test reactors to test fusion first wall/blanket (FW/B) components and systems has been adequately documented. In all previous scenarios, the normal fission spectrum (including tailoring) was shown to produce adequate heating profiles and some tritium breeding. However, one recognized shortcoming has been the absence of the 14 MeV neutron component. This paper describes a scheme whereby the fission neutrons would be employed to produce the desired 14 MeV component. The data obtained from tests in this largevolume (20 cm (8 in.) in diameter and 90 cm (36 in.) in length), distributed neutron source will pertain to both near-term (Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor--TFTR) and future pulsed fusion machines. Specifically, application requiring high flux but low fluence is foreseen in the areas of dosimetry benchmarking for tritium breeding performance code verification. As a general purpose, FW/B integrated technology development capability, the PBF is shown to be pertinent to addressing the bulk-heated, solid breeder blanket thermal and mechanical issues; tritium permeation in the presence of radiation, and barrier development in the prototypical radiation environment associated with the first wall; issues associated with the technology of breeder materials; and in-situ tritium recovery process characterization and system development